Cougar gets every hit but a home run

By Doug Kates
Published March 8, 2007

EAST LAKE - GiOnna DiSalvatore came as close as possible to collecting a natural cycle Wednesday night.

In a 7-0 Countryside win over East Lake, DiSalvatore singled and doubled to centerfield, followed by a triple to rightfield. In her fourth trip to the plate, the No. 3 hitter smacked a hard drive into left-centerfield that bounced off the top of the fence. The double drove in a Countryside (10-1) run, and DiSalvatore missed the cycle by inches.

After the game, the senior admitted she had no idea she was in a position to hit for the cycle and was disappointed because she does have three home runs this season.

Overall, four Countryside players combined for six extra-base hits, including Ali Lamb, who belted a home run over the centerfield fence in the fifth inning.

Ashlee Sismilich poked a triple, and Alyssa Allbritten poked had a double. On the mound, Desiree Baker tossed a five-hitter with nine strikeouts.

East Lake (9-5) was led by Courtney Dyer's two hits, including a double. She was also part of a great defensive play in the fifth inning when she caught a throw from centerfielder Carley Davis to tag out Sismilich, who was trying to score on a fly out. Sismilich ran into a hard tag and had to leave the game for medical attention.

[Last modified March 8, 2007, 00:18:15]