By STU SWARTZ
Goshen News Sports Editor
May 20, 2008 11:25 am
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Northridge senior Ashley Hamilton and Concord junior Courtney Cameron are headed for a high school girls softball showdown Wednesday.
Both were superb Monday in first-round games of a Class 4A sectional at Elkhart Memorial.
Hamilton fired a no-hitter as the Raiders zipped to a 9-0 victory over an Elkhart Memorial team which posted a 14-0 record in the Northern Lakes Conference this spring.
Cameron allowed three hits and struck out 13 as Concord blanked the Warsaw Lady Tigers, 4-0.
Northridge and Concord meet in the first semifinal game at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, followed by Goshen and Elkhart Central at about 7:30. The championship game is Friday at 7:30.First Game
For Northridge to win the sectional opener was not shocking. The manner in which is accomplished was surprising.
The Lady Raiders hammered the ball in the first four innings and were aided by five Memorial errors as the Crimson Chargers became unglued on defense.
Just a run or two would have been enough for Hamilton who struck out six and walked two.
“We came out strong, got ahead and beating a good team like Memorial is a big accomplishment,” said Hamilton. “Jessica (junior catcher Lopez) called a great game behind the plate.”
Freshman Megan Meyer made a dazzling catch in right field in the second inning and senior shortstop Cassie Boese a nifty play on a grounder up the middle to end the game.
Those were the only times Memorial came close to anything resembling a possible hit.
Senior Ashley Cooper had a run-scoring double for NHS in the first inning, Meyer and Jessica Lopez RBI singles in the second.
Junior Samantha Baker had RBI grounders in both the third and fourth innings while senior Alli Carithers ripped a two-run triple in the fourth.
Jessica Lopez had three hits and Cooper two to lead the Northridge onslaught.
Raider coach Andy Robinson said, “Our girls came out focused and the seniors especially wanted to win this game very badly.
“Ashley Hamilton obviously pitched a great game. She kept their hitters off balance. Jessica Lopez called a great game as catcher, our infielders had no errors and a freshman (Meyer) made a great catch in the outfield.
“Jessica Lopez triggered our offense with a big hit in the first inning.
“Memorial got us twice during the regular season and it’s tough to beat a team three times.”Second Game
Concord’s Cameron had at least one strikeout in every inning and fanned five consecutive Warsaw batters in one stretch.
“I have been working a lot on the spin of my pitches,” said Cameron. “My catcher (junior Chelly Gaeddert) and I work very well together. Once we scored a couple runs, that helped ease the pressure a lot.”
Concord broke a scoreless tie in the third inning when senior Carli Riester rocketed a triple to right field and scored on a single to right by Cameron. Sophomore Kiara Slabach delivered a two-out single to score junior Kim Swain for a 2-0 count.
Freshman Melanie Meyer singled in the fourth and Riester doubled. Meyer scored on a wild pitch and Riester on a fielder’s choice.
Both Riester and junior Halie Keller had two hits to lead a seven-hit Concord attack.
Coach Robb Freeze said, “This was a good team win. Courtney Cameron dominated their hitters and we made some defensive plays when needed. We even got an out with a rundown and I don’t remember that happening all season.
“We figured it was a matter of time before we scored and a couple runs in a sectional game can deflate a team.
“Northridge got us 8-0 and 5-2 during the NLC season, but we are excited and it should be a great game Wednesday.”
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Photos
CONCORD JUNIOR COURTNEY CAMERON was named an outstanding player in Class 4A high school girls softball sectional games Monday at Elkhart Memorial. Cameron pitched a three-hitter. THE GOSHEN NEWS