WEST BRANCH SURVIVES SALEM'S LATE PUSH

BELOIT, OH- The Quakers talked about coming out aggressive after seeing the Warriors no-hit a team on Tuesday. Bailee Thorn took the first pitch of the game right back up the middle to lead things off. The #2 hitter Elly Exline singled on the second pitch of her at-bat. With runners on 1st and 3rd, Exline attempted a steal and on the throw to second, Thorn aggressively went home to score the first run of the game. A three-run fourth inning would push West Branch to the victory. The Quakers wanted to stay aggressive on the bases but only had one other base runner after the first two hits of the game until 2 outs in the 7th inning.

Meg Rossero singled to right field in the 7th inning to extend her school record hitting streak to 19 games. Brooke Veglia and Elly Exline singled. Bailee Thorn had two singles.

On the defensive front, the Quakers didn’t commit an error and hustled on every attempt. Hayden Carner caught two foul balls and laid out on an attempt in front of the plate. Bailee Thorn went all out for a ball blooped down the left field line with a little push from the wind behind it. These girls played their hearts out defensively and in all aspects of the game. Hannah Kelm caught a line drive.

With a strong wind blowing out to center and left field it was very important for the upward movement to be crisp. Taylor Thorpe struck out 8 batters and other than a bunt out, 16 of the 17 outs were either K’s or infield pop up outs. Taylor Thorpe broke her single season (2018) school record of strikeouts as she’s reached 201 on the season.