ALBANY - Members of Albany's high school choir will thank the Comets for wrapping up their softball game early Monday night.
Not only did Albany's Six Rivers East softball matchup with Monticello start several minutes early; the few members of the Comets' squad got plenty of extra time to clean up and vocalize after a 10-0, five-inning victory over the Ponies.
"They were able to take a shower instead of just washing their faces," Albany coach Connie Wunschel said.
The Comets had just three hits but took advantage of seven walks and two hit batsmen by Monticello starter Mary Hershberger. Once on, they opened the throttle.
"We ran the bases - for the most part - very well tonight," Wunschel said. "We ran things out and it paid off for us."
Albany (5-2 Six Rivers East) scored four runs in the third to build a 5-0 lead before the wheels came clear off the Monticello bus in the fourth.
Albany ace Tara Walz pitched in with a leadoff double to left field. After a fielder's choice, Hershberger plunked cleanup batter Angie Masseur. After Monticello (5-3 conf.) executed an unconventional pickle to get the second out, Jillian McNeely walked before Claire Koopmans stroked a two-run single to center.
Then Stephanie Masseur popped up to Hershberger, who flat-out dropped the ball hit right at her. First baseman Olivia Doyle dropped a throw to first on the next play as the carousel unnecessarily continued to spin.
"A pop-up to Mary, a routine throw to Doyle, those are routine plays," Monticello coach Duane Garrison said. "I told them we're not a good enough hitting team to not make the routine plays."
And he's seen his share of teams good and bad in his six years of service.
"It was the worst game I've seen as long as I've been coaching here," Garrison said. "And I was here for an 0-21 season."
Walz danced her way to a complete-game shutout while Hershberger couldn't locate her changeup.
"You know what Saturday was, right?" Wunschel intimated. "Girls can either be tired and not be able to pick themselves up or they can be hyper and get right back after it. I told our girls to expect either."
Wunschel admitted that she was nervous given the Ponies' recent hot streak.
Albany left fielder Angie Masseur stayed dialed in through the final outs as she hauled in a Doyle flyball and doubled off Sadi Hilliard at first in the fifth inning.
To her credit, Hershberger refused to be pulled in the third inning and her skipper will lean on that resilience when the Ponies host pesky Pecatonica tonight.
"I told her, 'You're getting right back out there,'" Garrison said.
The Comets travel to Juda, where Wunschel used to coach the still-winless Panthers. She'll be in the ears of her hitters to take the same approach that helped Hershberger, who has been outstanding at times this season, get herself into trouble.
"Tonight they were much better about making her throw a strike before they took a swing," Wunschel said. "Patience is a virtue."
Not only did Albany's Six Rivers East softball matchup with Monticello start several minutes early; the few members of the Comets' squad got plenty of extra time to clean up and vocalize after a 10-0, five-inning victory over the Ponies.
"They were able to take a shower instead of just washing their faces," Albany coach Connie Wunschel said.
The Comets had just three hits but took advantage of seven walks and two hit batsmen by Monticello starter Mary Hershberger. Once on, they opened the throttle.
"We ran the bases - for the most part - very well tonight," Wunschel said. "We ran things out and it paid off for us."
Albany (5-2 Six Rivers East) scored four runs in the third to build a 5-0 lead before the wheels came clear off the Monticello bus in the fourth.
Albany ace Tara Walz pitched in with a leadoff double to left field. After a fielder's choice, Hershberger plunked cleanup batter Angie Masseur. After Monticello (5-3 conf.) executed an unconventional pickle to get the second out, Jillian McNeely walked before Claire Koopmans stroked a two-run single to center.
Then Stephanie Masseur popped up to Hershberger, who flat-out dropped the ball hit right at her. First baseman Olivia Doyle dropped a throw to first on the next play as the carousel unnecessarily continued to spin.
"A pop-up to Mary, a routine throw to Doyle, those are routine plays," Monticello coach Duane Garrison said. "I told them we're not a good enough hitting team to not make the routine plays."
And he's seen his share of teams good and bad in his six years of service.
"It was the worst game I've seen as long as I've been coaching here," Garrison said. "And I was here for an 0-21 season."
Walz danced her way to a complete-game shutout while Hershberger couldn't locate her changeup.
"You know what Saturday was, right?" Wunschel intimated. "Girls can either be tired and not be able to pick themselves up or they can be hyper and get right back after it. I told our girls to expect either."
Wunschel admitted that she was nervous given the Ponies' recent hot streak.
Albany left fielder Angie Masseur stayed dialed in through the final outs as she hauled in a Doyle flyball and doubled off Sadi Hilliard at first in the fifth inning.
To her credit, Hershberger refused to be pulled in the third inning and her skipper will lean on that resilience when the Ponies host pesky Pecatonica tonight.
"I told her, 'You're getting right back out there,'" Garrison said.
The Comets travel to Juda, where Wunschel used to coach the still-winless Panthers. She'll be in the ears of her hitters to take the same approach that helped Hershberger, who has been outstanding at times this season, get herself into trouble.
"Tonight they were much better about making her throw a strike before they took a swing," Wunschel said. "Patience is a virtue."
