The Bulls improve to 9-0, as experience pays off in close game.
By TERRY JONES
Published March 6, 2004
RIVERVIEW - Riverview just didn't give undefeated Bloomingdale any respect for five innings Friday night. The Sharks played like both teams were unbeaten, even though the Sharks entered 1-2 and the Bulls were 8-0 with an eight-run win over Riverview earlier in the season.
In the sixth inning, Bloomingdale overcame a 1-0 deficit by scoring three runs and held on for a 3-2 win, increasing its mark to 9-0.
"I think our older, more experienced players made the difference in the end," Bloomingdale coach Mike Clamon said. "Their freshman shortstop took some hits and runs from us with some great defensive plays, and their freshman pitcher did pretty good too. Our kids never gave up. They have confidence in each other, and this is the third game we came back to win in the closing innings."
The Sharks took advantage of a walk and a wild pitch from Bloomingdale pitcher Nicole Anderson to go out front 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth. Amanda Montgomery scored the run for the Sharks.
Bloomingdale scored all three of its runs in the fast-moving sixth inning.
Devan Spence opened the rally with a hard grounder through the shortstop, and Allison Kime followed with another hard shot through the same spot. Tiffany Anderson hit a third shot through shortstop to load the bases with no outs.
Jasmine Rivera got the fourth consecutive hit for the Bulls, a hard single to leftfield to drive in Spence and Kime. Rivera scored the third run on a Sharks error.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Melissa Krenn scored the final run for Riverview on another wild pitch by the Bloomingdale pitcher. However, Anderson increased her personal record to 3-0 and recorded 10 strikeouts in the win.
Ashley Schmitt suffered her first loss in her first start on the mound for Riverview. She shut out the normally potent Bulls for six innings.
"Ashley is just a freshman and this was her first start, but I think I have discovered a treasure in her," Riverview pitching coach Ron Slater said. "She hit all her corners and pitched everything I ask her to throw."
