Eldred Crushes Chester

	Democrat Photo by Ted Waddell TRIPLE FOR TWO: Ashley Bohs of Eldred (10) connects for a two-run triple against Chester pitcher Christina Clerkin in Thursday’s non-league game. The host Lady Yellow Jackets cruised 14-2.

Tie Score Doesn't Last

By Ted Waddell
ELDRED — April 25, 2000 -- At the end of the first inning, the score was tied 1-1 in Thursday’s non-league varsity softball game between the home team Lady Yellow Jackets (5–2) and the Lady Hambletonians of Chester (1–4 overall).
In Chester’s opening inning, Kristin DeCroix crossed the plate on a passed ball, and you could almost see waves of tension and foreboding rise from the Eldred bench.
In the bottom of the first, Aimee Schneider took advantage of an error and grabbed a base. Karin Blaut followed with a single, and Ashley Bohs sacrificed into a fielder’s choice to send Schneider across the plate to tie it up 1-1.
But in the fourth, it turned into a walk in the park for the hosts on a rain threatened afternoon as they racked up five runs on the way to a 14-2 win.
In the fourth frame, Vicki Larsson walked, followed by a base hit by Schneider. Blaut singled, driving in Larsson and Schneider. Starting Chester pitcher Christina Clerkin then served up consecutive walks to Bohs and Casey-Lynn Williams. A two-run single by Amanda Pierce scored Blaut and Bohs. The inning closed with an RBI by Dana Cahayla. The score: 6-1.
In the top of the fifth, Chester got their second and final run of the game when Anne Marie Cardinola sacrificed to score Jamie More. Chester earned their first hit of the game in the sixth inning on a double by DeCroix.
In the bottom of the fifth, Heidi Sherman led off for the Yellow Jackets with a double, but got picked off at third attempting to steal. Larsson singled and Schneider reached on an error. Blaut got to base on an error, and Larsson scored on the same misplay. A two-run base hit by Bohs scored Schneider and Blaut. Bohs then sprinted across the plate on an error by the Chester catcher when she overthrew third. The score: 10-2.
In the sixth frame, Chester’s relief pitcher loaded the bases by walking Pierce and Danielle Campbell, and then hit Sherman with an errant pitch. A two-RBI base hit by Jessica Haas scored Pierce and Campbell. Larsson walked, followed by an RBI single by Schneider which scored Sherman. The scoring ended with a walk to Bohs which sent Haas all the way home.
For Eldred, Blaut pitched a three-hitter and struck out 13. She also controlled the mound during Wednesday’s 3-1 win over the Lady Eagles of Delaware Valley.
“It was a real good game for both teams until the fourth inning when we just started hitting,” reflected Dot McCrone, second-year coach of the Eldred varsity softball team. “Karin Blaut had an excellent game, and she’s getting a lot more control of the ball.”
According to McCrone, the Lady Yellow Jackets are playing a lot better defensively and making fewer errors as the season is developing. She noted that her players still need a lot more work on their base running skills.
What about the rest of the season? “If we continue to play they way we are now, it should be positive,” said McCrone. “If we can keep it together as a team, it’s hopeful.”
Blaut finished with a three-hitter, fanning 14. Bohs drove in four runs.