Northeast tops Rams

Published 12:00 am Saturday, March 25, 2006

LASKER – Northeast Academy scored five runs in the first inning as the Lady Eagles defeated Ridgecroft School 10-2.

After shutting out the Lady Rams in the top of the first Heather Langston got Northeast started with a single to third base.

Laura Boone took first base after being hit by a pitch and both runners came home on a Lindsey Bridgers double to right field.

Betty Edwards advanced to first after being struck by a pitch and Jessica Duncan was walked.

A wild throw allowed both Edwards and Duncan to cross home plate giving the Lady Eagles a 5-0 lead.

Ridgecroft catcher Stephanie Northcott was walked to start the second inning.

After advancing to second, Northcott beat the second baseman’s throw home to give Ridgecroft their first run of the game.

Both teams went three-and-out in their next at-bats.

In the bottom of the third LeAnn Barnes walked to first then advanced to third on Edwards’ double.

Duncan had an RBI that Barnes plated.

Edwards went home after a wild pitch, giving Northeast a 7-1 advantage.

The next scores came in the fifth frame.

After walking to first, Edwards stole the next three bases for the score.

Lori Coggins and Langston both took a base on balls.

Laura Boone singled to left field and both runners took advantage of a Ridgecroft error to score, stretching the Northeast lead to nine (10-1).

The Lady Rams tried to come back in the sixth with Tayler Smith crossing the plate but it wasn’t enough as Ridgecroft fell, 10-2.

&uot;We started out slow in the first but we settled down, came back and slowed them down,&uot; said Ridgecroft head coach Larry Smith.

&uot;We’re continuing to improve.&uot;

Northeast head coach Joella Brown also saw improvement in her team.

&uot;We had a good defensive effort but we need to work on our hitting,&uot; she said. &uot;We left to many people on base.&uot;