In softball, having two pitchers on staff that can throw strikes and get batters out consistently is certainly an advantage.
In softball, having two pitchers on staff that can throw strikes and get batters out consistently is certainly an advantage.
Over the past few seasons, though, the Kenston Bombers Softball Team has relied on standout pitcher Quinn Robertson to pitch the majority of innings.
However, on April 11 at Kenston, Bombers Head Coach Anne Dubovec-Kowitz gave freshman pitcher, Lainy Lombardo, an opportunity to start in the circle against the Cuyahoga Heights Red Wolves.
And Lombardo responded with an excellent pitching performance to gain her first career victory.
Throwing 5 innings of softball, Lombardo gave up no earned runs, 2 hits, struck out four, and only walked one batter.
Afterwards, Coach Dubovec-Kowitz talked about the significance of having Lombardo on the pitching staff this season.
“Honestly, it’s really nice to have this game where we get to rest Quinn,” Coach Dubovec-Kowitz said. “It’s been a couple of years since we have been able to have another pitcher that can give her innings and honestly we didn’t use her at all today. This is big for us (to have) another pitcher that is able to throw strikes, and only give up one run and a handful of walks and hits. Great job by Lainy today.”
Coach Dubovec-Kowitz said that Lombardo had excellent control and hit her locations well. Also, she said that Lombardo did a good job of changing speeds throughout the contest.
“It was so nice to see her staying low in the zone and making them swing at pitches that are her pitches,” Coach Dubovec-Kowitz said.
Lombardo said that she was excited to get her first career varsity start.
“I was really excited when I heard that I was starting,” Lombardo said.
In order to gain confidence to take the mound for the Bombers, Lombardo said that Quinn Robertson has helped her a lot.
“The other pitcher (Quinn) has been really helping me, giving me tips,” Lombardo said. “She’s been coaching me throughout the whole season which is really helpful with my confidence.”
In addition to Lombardo’s excellent pitching performance, the Bombers offense also performed well against the Red Wolves.
“Our bats took a couple innings to awake, but obviously scoring 11 runs is great,” Coach Dubovec-Kowitz said.
After the Bombers took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, the Bombers then scored 4 runs in the third inning to go ahead 5-0.
To score four runs in the third inning, the Bombers took advantage of a few errors by the Red Wolves.
Then, after scoring two runs on three straight errors, the Bombers Mira Jarzembak doubled on a line drive over the left fielder’s head to score Kherington Swader from second base.
After the Red Wolves got on an unearned run in the top of the fifth inning, the Bombers came back with six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to run-rule the Red Wolves, 11-1.
Under OHSAA rules, when a team is leading by ten or more runs after five innings, the game is declared over.
With bases loaded, and an 8-1 lead, the Bombers’ Kherington Swader came to the plate with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Swader had the walk off base hit when she jumped on an inside pitch, lining it down the left field line for a bases clearing triple and the Bombers fourth victory of the season.
Leading the Bombers offense against the Red Wolves was freshman Piper Robertson who was 3 for 4 with 3 RBI and junior Emily Grubich who went 2 for 2 with an RBI and a walk.
Piper Robertson said she was not quite sure what to expect going into the game with the Red Wolves as this was her first time facing them.
However, to have success at the plate, she focused on her hitting coach’s advice.
“When I was first in the box I just made sure to remember what my hitting coach told me, (which was) to just wait and focus on making contact.”
Mentally, Piper Robertson said she stayed in the present moment when at the plate.
“I just keep my mind blank when I hit,” Piper Robertson said. “I really just see the ball hit my bat and then focus on running.”
With the victory over the Red Wolves, the Bombers completed an excellent week in which they established a three game winning streak.
On April 6, the Bombers defeated the Crestwood Red Devils, 14-4.
Offensively against the Red Devils, the Bombers were led by five players who had multiple hits including Aurora Young (2-2, triple, RBI), Emily Grubich (2-3), Liv Gowdy (2-4, 2 doubles, 3 RBI), Kendall Robertson (2-4, 3 RBI) and Piper Robertson (2-5, 1 RBI).
Against the Red Devils, Quinn Robertson was dominant in the circle. In fact, in three innings of work, Robertson struck out nine of the eleven batters she faced.
Then, on April 8 against the Willoughby South Rebels, Quinn Robertson threw a complete game, 6-0 shutout. Robertson struck out six Rebel batters, while only scattering 5 hits throughout the game.
Leading the Bombers offensively over the Rebels were Kherington Swader (2-2, RBI), Gowdy (2-3, 2 RBI), Grubich (2-3), Jarzembak (2-3), and Piper Robertson (2-4, double, 2 RBI).
The Bombers return to the diamond on April 13 when they host the Riverside Beavers.
