Storm face a rough ride against the Fillies

Ali Brokaw makes the grab for the Storm at the hot corner Monday against Morrison. (BCR photo/Kevin Marsh)

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MANLIUS — The theory of softball could be explained in a variety of ways, but the principal theory that will always stand the test of time and put to rest any arguments or opinion is simple. If you can’t get on base, you can’t win.

This theory was evident Monday afternoon in Manlius when Morrison pitcher Amanda Smith struck out seven Bureau Valley batters, allowed only three baserunners en route to a two-hit 10-0 shutout over the Storm.  

Despite the loss and the inability to get on base, Bureau Valley coach Brian Humphrey was pleased with his team’s effort with a Morrison team that has traditionally caused his team troubles.

“I told the girls that I was about as happy as I could be for getting beat 10 to nothing,” Humphrey said. “We had our starting shortstop out with an ankle injury as well as our starting catcher with a twisted knee, so being short handed, and as young as we are I thought we played real well. I think that this is the first time in my four years as coach that we played a full seven innings with Morrison.”

Freshman Sam Shepard took her place on the  mound with a cold start after walking the first two Fillies batters she promptly gave up a double to Amanda Patten before settling down to retire the next three batters in order.

Shepard allowed 10 hits throughout the contest, but Humphrey saw some things in his young hurler that gave him hope for the future.

“I think she pitched a pretty good ball game,” he said. “She had a nice hit, she likes to compete and will only get better. We only have four seniors on the team and she is one of the players we can look forward to in the future."

After Morrison jumped out to a two run lead to start the contest, the Fillies were shut down in the second, but added three more in the top of the third inning when they ran the bases while the Bureau Valley outfield were kept busy running down softballs rolling to the fence.

Bureau Valley third baseman Ali Brokaw led off the bottom of the fourth inning that became a bit of a bright spot for the Storm (3-6). Shepard picked up the team’s first hit and while number three batter Rachel Hix and number four batter Danielle Sheridan failed to reach base they both made hard contact for the first time off of Smith's heaters

After going quietly in the sixth, the Storm’s final chance to spoil Morrison's shutout came in the final inning. After Hix was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame, Brooke Reinbeck took Smith’s one ball two strike offering back up the middle for the teams second a final hit of the game, moving Hix to third base. Reinbeck made her way to second base, while Hix eyeballed home while standing on third, but Smith got Jessica Cole on strikes, and forced Lauren Hasbrook to ground out cooling the Bureau Valley threat.

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