Published: May 09, 2008 11:07 pm         

Cameron, Newell superb in 12-inning softball pitching duel

This had to be one of the better pitching duels in local high school girls softball history.

Junior Courtney Cameron of Concord and freshman Natalie Newell of Goshen were both magnificent Friday during a Northern Lakes Conference dandy at Shanklin Park.

Concord finally pushed across a run in the top of the 12th inning, getting a big hit from Melanie Meyer and a little one from senior Carli Riester.

Cameron allowed four hits during her shutout effort, holding Goshen hitless for eight consecutive innings from the fourth through 11th. She struck out 14 and walked four.

Newell also fanned 14 batters, scattering seven hits and walking just one Concord hitter.

Concord coach Robb Freeze said, “You have got to hand it to both pitchers. Goshen has a sensational freshman and we think our junior is pretty special too.

“Our team is beginning to come together at a good time of the season. Hats off to the whole Goshen team for playing a great game.”

Goshen coach Lee Mast said, “Our girls are fighting harder all the time and are so close to getting over the hump. Each game you can see they are doing a better job of hanging tough.

“There were a lot of tears after this game and that shows the coaching staff these girls are taking the game to their hearts. There was just great pitching on both sides in this one.”

Concord finally scored when Meyer rocketed a triple to the center field fence with one out in the top of the 12th and Riester dropped a perfect bunt which settled near the first-base line, scoring Meyer.

“Carli Riester normally doesn’t bunt much and I asked her if she could and she said, ‘Sure’,” said Freeze.

“We still must get better in our opportunities with runners in scoring position. But, we have had trouble winning these close games and hopefully one like this gets us over the hump.”

Junior Chelly Gaeddert had a triple and two singles for Concord and Meyer twohits. Senior Alyssa Vahala also hit safely.

Goshen’s best scoring chances were in the first and 12th innings.

Junior Emily Kerns bunted safely in the first, freshman Kaitlyn Troyer reached on an error and Newell walked to fill the bases with one out. Cameron got tough, striking out two Redskins.

A single by Newell in the third was the last GHS hit until the 12th.

In the final frame, senior Amy VanderMolen bunted safely and freshman Cassie Cook singled to left. A Goshen runner was retired at third and Cameron struck out the last batter.

The Redskins got defensive outfield gems from seniors VanderMolen in left field and Krista Meade in center during the ninth inning to keep their team in contention.

“This team has come a long way defensively,” said Mast. “Those were two tremendous plays in the outfield by a couple of our seniors.

“We finally quit striking out so much about the eighth inning, but just didn’t hit the ball hard all day. When we did hit it, Concord was making the plays. It was a great game.”

Junior Varsity

Goshen’s JV rallied from a 7-0 deficit to an 8-7 win over Concord at Shanklin.

Laura Gladfelter, Kirstie Medford and Katelynn Flory were among those with key hits for Goshen. Winning pitcher Katie Mast struck out six.