DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
One hit.
That’s all that Carroll could muster against Bellmont’s Bella Ashley Thursday as the Braves bounced back from their first loss of the season and a disappointing rainout of the Heritage game to get back to winning ways with a 6-1 victory against the Chargers.
Ashley allowed just four baserunners all night, walking two while striking out two. The Braves played solid defense behind her and turned a double play to get out of the only real jam they were in at the end of the fifth inning.
The Braves tapped Carroll starter Macie Lada for five runs and she did not make it out of the third inning.
Emily Bleke walked in the first inning and later scored on a wild pitch. A few batters later, Ashley made up for the run she allowed in the top half of the inning by knocking in Taylor Bauer, who doubled.
Bleke started another rally in the bottom of the third, leading off with a hit and taking second on a bunt by Sami Christen. Singles by MK Scheumann and Bauer were followed by a two-run double by Makenzie Mankey. That put the game at 5-1 and Ashley did the rest.
Mankey also drove in a run in the fifth. She was 2 for 2 on the night and was hit by a pitch.
The only run for Carroll actually came in the top of the first, because that lone hit was to lead off the game for the Chargers. Jaidyn Fuller singled to left, then stole second, took third on a passed ball and scored on a ground ball out. The Charger lineup never found another hit the rest of the night.
The Braves are scheduled to play Franklin County in the first of three games at the Kokomo tournament this weekend. WZBD will be at the tournament, providing coverage all weekend long.