Rice’s effort leads Indians by Jackets

By ETHAN BLOUGH
The Tribune-Democrat

DAVIDSVILLE April 14, 2006 12:24 am

— Wendy Rice and Kelli Coulter formed a winning combination for Conemaugh Township’s softball team on Thursday afternoon.
Rice fanned nine Ferndale batters and Coulter, a third-year starting catcher, scored two runs, drove in another, tripled and singled in the Indians’ 6-1 win over the Yellow Jackets.
“Our pitcher has been keeping us in every game,” Township coach Rod Jarvis said. “She doesn’t have the zip on the ball that she once did, but she has the placement. But we’re playing good ball behind her.”
The Indians combined for eight hits off Ferndale starter Nicole Folta.
Coulter started the action for the Indians with a triple in her first trip to the plate. She scored on a passed ball when Folta’s pitch to Kayla Sauter was bobbled.
Nicol Edsall went 2-for-3, scored two runs and had an RBI in the Indians’ three-run fifth.
Rice commended the effort of her teammates and attributed their support, especially Coulter’s, to the Indians’ 8-0 record.
“It takes nine people to play,” the senior right-hander said. “I just go out there and throw. I have people out there to back me up. (Coulter) helps out a lot. She’s been my catcher for three years in high school. I know what she’s going to call before she calls it.”
In the top of the third inning, Rice struck out three straight Yellow Jackets and added the offense in the bottom half, when she singled, stole second and scored on a throwing error to give the Indians a 2-0 lead.
Rice allowed four hits and walked one in the complete-game victory. She recorded at least one strikeout in all but the fourth inning.
“The girls are responding to Wendy,” Jarvis said. “They’re trying hard at the plate to ease her workload.”
Said Coulter: “She always brings the team up. She has a never quit attitude.”
Ferndale (1-6) struggled to score throughout, eventually reaching home after Sarah McAteer tripled and Folta (2-for-3) drove her in on a single to right in the sixth inning.
Folta reached base in each of her three at-bats and struck out four Indians batters.
Coulter started the scoring for the Indians during the fifth after a single put her on base, and Kylee Thomas (1-for-3) drove her in.
Edsall doubled to deep left field to drive in Thomas.
Alyssa Gusmerotti followed suit, with a double to deep left that plated Edsall, and the Indians ended the inning with a 6-0 lead.
“We have all phases of the game working well for us,” Jarvis said. “I think we can be a little better defensively, but ... we’re hitting the ball pretty well. I’m really happy with the effort that they’re giving, and we’re seeing the results of that effort.”

Ethan Blough can be reached at 532-5080 or eblough@tribdem.com.

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