DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
DECATUR – Haley Webb’s long home run to lead off the second inning lit the Columbia City bats on fire Monday night and the Eagles went on to beat Bellmont 14-2 in NE8 play as the Braves continued to struggle defensively, committing seven errors.
Columbia City starter Bethany Haselby made just one mistake all night, a home run ball to Taylor Bauer in the fourth inning, but her team had already built a 9-0 lead by that point and she cruised the rest of the way, allowing five hits in all and striking out five, while allowing no extra base runners.
Center fielder Hannah Lickey, the No. 3 hitter in the Eagles’ lineup, had herself a night, too, finishing 4 for 4 with a pair of doubles and five runs batted in. Webb had two more hits besides her home run, driving in two more in addition to her solo shot.
Piper Baker threw the first six innings for Bellmont and allowed 11 runs, but just three of them were earned due to the myriad of Braves errors. She struck out seven, then gave way to Mary Kate Scheumann, who was charged with three unearned runs in the top of the seventh.
Baker tripled ahead of Bauer’s home run. Emily Bleke also had a triple.
“We have to make the routine plays better,” admitted head coach Mindy Buuck after the game. “We have to back our pitcher.”
Buuck’s frustration was noted when she said the team began the year well defensively, but struggled at the plate.
“Now it seems we have flip-flopped that.”
The girls are back in NE8 action at Norwell Wednesday on a game that will be heard live on WZBD, with Mike Macke and former BHS head coach Kent Arnold on the microphones.
About the Author
