Wolford helps Eagles crush Rams - Sports

STRASBURG — Clarke County starting pitcher Jordan Wolford did everything she could to keep Strasburg batters off-balance in the Eagles' 11-1 win over the Rams on Thursday.

While Strasburg batters were able to make solid contact, Wolford's changing speeds and a solid Eagles' defense playing behind her were able to keep the Rams from stringing together hits and having big innings.

"Jordan's pitching really well and our defense played well with runners on base," Clarke County coach Susan Grubbs said. "She allowed a base hit here and there, but was able to get out of those innings."

Wolford effectively used her changeup, often getting ahead of hitters in the count with foul balls off mistimed pitches.

"It's not quite down yet, but I've been working on it," Wolford said of her changeup. "My catcher helps a lot with that. She just tells me I've gotta control it and I do pretty well after that."

Wolford also produced at the plate, aiding her own cause in the first inning with a two-out, two-run double that gave Clarke County an early 2-0 advantage off Strasburg starter Allyson Ponn.

"I was really pleased with the first inning," Grubbs said. "Having two outs and then getting two runs with those two outs on us was big."

In the second inning, however, the Eagles struck a major blow.

After a walk, an error and a hit batter loaded the bases off Ponn, Brianna Smith delivered a three-run hit to open up the lead to 5-0.

A Lauren McCabe double and another error allowed two more runs and stretched the lead to 7-0.

"Usually once we get one hit and start it off, everyone gets going," Wolford said.

Strasburg fought back in the bottom half of the second when Bethany Doman led off the inning with a single and eventually came around to score on a passed ball for the Rams' only run.

Lauren Stickles replaced Ponn in the circle in the third inning, and the Strasburg defense settled down from that point forward, but it was too little, too late.

Clarke County scored another run in the fourth when McCabe hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Smith.

"I'm pleased we were hitting the ball," Strasburg coach Susanne Mathias said. "We played decent defense at times. If we could just put seven innings of ball together we would be OK."

Comment on this story | View Comments |