DARLINGTON - Argyle picked up its first win of the year behind some early success and late patience. The Orioles knocked off Darlington 10-3 Monday in a non-conference game.
"We hit the ball well," first-year Orioles coach Dan Treuthardt said. "If we can hit Laura Steiner, we can hit anybody in our league. After we got a couple of runs, everybody relaxed."
Argyle scored four quick runs in the first inning off of Savannah Winters, who lasted just 1/3 of an inning and left with bases loaded. The Orioles tacked on two more runs in the second to make the score 6-0, and it appeared the game was going to be a full-scale blow out.
"I like to get out to a lead early and put some runners on the base," Treuthardt said. "We've got some speed. All we have to do is hit the ball in play and you'll give yourself a chance."
But Darlington never let up completely. Behind the arm of veteran righty Laura Steiner, the Redbirds were outscored just 4-3 over the final five innings.
"Laura's a really good pitcher and there is a lot of confidence with her ability on the mound," first-year Darlington coach Tim Lane said. "I think the nerves wore off as we settled into the game. Once you get (the wind and cold) out of their mind they'll do a lot better."
Argyle came into the season with some questions, due to its lack of depth and young roster.
"We're a young team with a freshman on the mound, but we did well. I'm excited. I think we're going to have a good year," Treuthardt said.
On Monday, that inexperience was put to the test right away. Freshman pitcher Jessica Treuthardt stuck hard to her game plan early on, but late in the game grew noticeably tired. That's when Darlington tried making a run, but Jessica Treuthardt kept the Redbirds at bay, stranding two runners on base in the fifth and the bases loaded in the sixth.
"It's easier for a pitcher when you're ahead," Dan Treuthardt said. Jessica Treuthardt allowed four hits and seven walks while striking out nine.
Helping her freshman battery partner on both defense and offense, senior catcher Jodi Fischer, who was all-conference a year ago, showed off her veteran presence. Fischer was 3 for 4 with a walk and three runs scored to lead the offensive attack.
Rachel Tollakson, Danielle Treuthardt and Stacy Kromminga each had a hit for Argyle. Danielle Treuthardt also had an RBI triple in the first inning. The Orioles banged out 11 hits, walked seven times and took advantage of six errors and wild pitches by the Redbird.
"We got to a slow start," Lane said. "We had some errors. It was the little mental errors that hurt us here and there. Otherwise we did well defensively."
Elle Westerman hit a booming double in the fourth for Darlington.
"We hit the ball well," first-year Orioles coach Dan Treuthardt said. "If we can hit Laura Steiner, we can hit anybody in our league. After we got a couple of runs, everybody relaxed."
Argyle scored four quick runs in the first inning off of Savannah Winters, who lasted just 1/3 of an inning and left with bases loaded. The Orioles tacked on two more runs in the second to make the score 6-0, and it appeared the game was going to be a full-scale blow out.
"I like to get out to a lead early and put some runners on the base," Treuthardt said. "We've got some speed. All we have to do is hit the ball in play and you'll give yourself a chance."
But Darlington never let up completely. Behind the arm of veteran righty Laura Steiner, the Redbirds were outscored just 4-3 over the final five innings.
"Laura's a really good pitcher and there is a lot of confidence with her ability on the mound," first-year Darlington coach Tim Lane said. "I think the nerves wore off as we settled into the game. Once you get (the wind and cold) out of their mind they'll do a lot better."
Argyle came into the season with some questions, due to its lack of depth and young roster.
"We're a young team with a freshman on the mound, but we did well. I'm excited. I think we're going to have a good year," Treuthardt said.
On Monday, that inexperience was put to the test right away. Freshman pitcher Jessica Treuthardt stuck hard to her game plan early on, but late in the game grew noticeably tired. That's when Darlington tried making a run, but Jessica Treuthardt kept the Redbirds at bay, stranding two runners on base in the fifth and the bases loaded in the sixth.
"It's easier for a pitcher when you're ahead," Dan Treuthardt said. Jessica Treuthardt allowed four hits and seven walks while striking out nine.
Helping her freshman battery partner on both defense and offense, senior catcher Jodi Fischer, who was all-conference a year ago, showed off her veteran presence. Fischer was 3 for 4 with a walk and three runs scored to lead the offensive attack.
Rachel Tollakson, Danielle Treuthardt and Stacy Kromminga each had a hit for Argyle. Danielle Treuthardt also had an RBI triple in the first inning. The Orioles banged out 11 hits, walked seven times and took advantage of six errors and wild pitches by the Redbird.
"We got to a slow start," Lane said. "We had some errors. It was the little mental errors that hurt us here and there. Otherwise we did well defensively."
Elle Westerman hit a booming double in the fourth for Darlington.
