MIDDLEFIELD—Cardinal’s final home game of the 2015 season is one the Huskies will use as momentum heading into the postseason.
The Huskies pounded out 15 hits and played error free defense beat Harvey, 8-3.
“They showed up really well tonight,” said Cardinal coach Dennis Ikeler. “They played tonight the way I know they can play. After last night’s loss (to Aurora) I was kind of discouraged but they came out and played the way I know they can.”
Cardinal’s success started in the circle where Courtney Ellis pitched her best game of the year.
Ellis, Cardinal’s No. 3 pitcher, struck out five and walked just two batters. Starting pitcher Jasmine Vunak is still suffering from the lingering effects of an ankle injury and No. 2 pitcher Megan Baril is Cardinal’s starting third baseman.
“Courtney has been pulling really well for me this season, considering she didn’t pick up a lot of time,” Ikeler said. “She had to step in since Jasmine has been hurt and I’ve been short at third so I’ve had keep Megan there. She’s done a good job. I’m really proud of the way she’s been pitching.”
Led by Baril, who was 4-for-4, the Huskies collected 15 hits in their six at bats. One of the biggest was Haley Adams’ three RBI double in Cardinal’s four-run second inning.
“That was a big hit,” Ikeler said. “She’s been fighting at the plate. She’s been hitting and working hard. We stayed after the game last night and worked with her some more. She’s really putting the time into it.”
Adams, Dawn Scribben, Ameleya Loeser and Allissa Nevison all finished the game with two hits. Loeser and Nevison both had two RBI.
Ellis helped her cause with a two RBI single in the bottom of the sixth.
“Those were big,” Ikeler said. “We did some goofy things on offense to try and create the runs and we did. They did what they needed to do and those two runs were big for us. Harvey could have come back there in the seventh, so those were big runs.”
Defensively, the Huskies made big plays at crucial times.
Adams threw out two would be base stealers and Nevison fielded a ground ball in centerfield and threw out a runner at second.
“I’m really proud of the whole team,” Ikeler said. “Everybody was in there. I’m really proud of everybody and the way they played tonight. “
Cardinal plays at Aurora on Monday then opens the postseason at Hawken on Tuesday.
