Beavers on the right track

Morning Journal/Matt Morrison
Beaver Local’s Megan Henrich pitches against Wellsville on Thursday at Hammond Park.

WELLSVILLE–The Beaver Local softball team has been rolling as of late and the team kept that going with a 14-0 five-inning win over Wellsville on Thursday.

It was Beaver Local’s 11th win in 12 games. The team had a 10-game winning streak ended with a loss to Bellaire on Wednesday.

“It was a lot of fun for everyone on the team,” Beaver Local coach Mark Cashdollar said. “I can’t use some of the words for the way we played.”

Beaver Local improves to 14-9, while Wellsville drops to 2-12.

A good part of the Beavers recent success is credited to the teams young core of players, including freshmen Ciara Call.

“We do have a good team,” Call said. “We work as a team and get the job done.”

Call, who is a two sport athlete in softball and in track, had a very productive week that has included being a part of the Beaver Local 400-meter relay team that finished first at the Columbiana County Track Meet on Tuesday. Call also finished first in the 100-meter dash and finished second behind Beaver Local teammate Mallory Miller in the 200.

Call was also productive for the softball team as well in the past week in which she hit two home runs in the game against Bellaire on Wednesday.

While the success has been there balancing the two has been tough.

“It is hard mentally and physically,” Call said. “You just have to push through it.”

Addison Eells led the Beavers with three RBIs, two runs scored and two hits–highlighted by a two-run home run in the second inning that gave the Beavers a 7-0 advantage.

Lainie Bock had two RBIs, three runs scored and three hits, including a single to left field in the second inning that scored one run to put the Beavers up 5-0.

Megan Henrich had one RBI, two hits and three runs scored, while Lily Schrieber had two RBIs, two hits and one run scored. Tatum Duncan had two hits and one run scored. Call and Lora Reeder each had one hit and one run scored. Kamryn Young scored two runs.

Henrich had a solid performance in the circle allowing only one hit and two walks with 10 strikeouts.

Henrich wanted to pitch quickly and effectively due to the hot weather conditions.

“I was just thinking that it is really hot out here,” Henrich said. “I want to be in the shade, so the faster I get done out there the quicker I can be in the shade.”

Henrich missed a week of playing time due to a strained back, but a little time off is just what she needed.

“I just had to take a few games off and it really improved my game,” Henrich said. “It feels good to be back with my team and have the support behind me.”

Makayla Landess had the only hit for Wellsville, which was a single to left field in the fourth inning.

Brooklyn Bird was the losing pitcher for Wellsville as she allowed eight earned runs on 13 hits through four innings of work. Madelyn Landess pitched one inning allowing one earned run on two hits.

Wellsville will play a doubleheader against East Palestine today, while Beaver Local will play Minerva on Monday in a Div. II sectional opener.

W: 2-5-2-4-1-x-x–14-15-2

BL: 0-0-0-0-0-x-x–0-1-3