Published: May 15, 2009 09:36 am      

Cook shuts out Pilgrims

Goshen High School’s softball ladies continued to build on their program-record victory total and, just as importantly, their confidence level on the field Thursday.

Sophomore Cassi Cook, keeping the ball low and getting 12 of her 18 outs on grounders, pitched a shutout as the Lady Redskins socked Plymouth 11-0 in a Northern Lakes Conference outing at Shanklin Park.

Junior Katelynn Flory and sophomore Natalie Newell highlighted the offense by belting over-the-fence home runs at a facility where few high school girls have gone that distance.

The Lady Redskins, 15-6 overall and 7-4 in the NLC, are right back in action today at Concord.

Redskin coach Scott Hutcherson said, “The girls have made it their goal to stay on the track of improving and learning every day they step on the field. They won’t accept the status quo.

“That is the best we have hit the softball all season. The girls are starting to believe in themselves and that Goshen softball can be something special. They are buying into it.

“Cassi Cook did a great job pitching. Coach (Abby) Rolon has been working with her on mechanics, hitting spots and staying ahead in the count.

“When she keeps the ball low like that, she can be very effective.

“Kaitlyn Troyer (sophomore catcher) continues to be our general behind the plate. She keeps everyone on their toes and communicating as to where the ball should go when it’s fielded.”

Goshen jumped ahead with a four-run bottom of the second inning. It was triggered with back-to-back doubles by Flory and Troyer.

Flory scored on an infield grounder by sophomore Madison Hussey and Troyer on an error. Junior Jennifer Finney and senior Emily Kerns followed with RBI singles.

Finney singled again in the fourth and scored ahead of a long home run to left center by Newell.

Goshen ended it by run rule in the sixth with five tallies. Newell cracked a two-run triple and Kerns had an RBI grounder before Flory ended it with a two-run homer to center.

Newell had four hits, Flory and Finney both three to spearhead the Redskins’ 14-hit attack.

Defensively, Goshen escaped a bases loaded jam in the fourth when shortstop Kerns fielded a grounder at short and forced one Pilgrim at home.

Cook then fielded a ball back to the pitching circle and threw to Troyer who relayed to first baseman Flory for an inning-ending double play.

Kerns gunned down another Plymouth runner at home in the fifth when the Lady Pilgrims again left the bases loaded.

Junior Varsity

Goshen won a JV thriller, 14-13, at Shanklin. McKenzie Byler had a home run and four RBI for the Redskins, Heather Gladfelter two doubles, a single and three RBI, Briana Castaneda a triple and single. Gladfelter was the winning pitcher in relief.