PENDLETON — After a disappointing loss to Anderson ending the Lapel Bulldog softball team’s run for the county title, the Bulldogs regrouped and pull off a commanding 17-0 win against Elwood to claim third place April 13 on the Legends Field at Pendleton Heights.
Chloe Bousman was on the mound for the Bulldogs and allowed just five hits in the five-inning shutout.
“By far the best game she’s thrown in two years,” coach Scott Rich said. “She put a lot of work into that change up in the off season and today it all came together.”
“The bats came alive today because they slept through Thursday’s game (Anderson),” Rich said.
Rich said that after the loss, the team had a meeting and he felt the team responded well.
“Today, we talked about making adjustments and getting up there and not thinking so much and having fun and doing our job hitting the ball.”
The Bulldogs opened up with a six-run first inning on five hits, including doubles by Lily Daniels and Taylor Williams. Daniels went on to hit a homerun in the third inning. Daniels had belted two earlier homers in the opening tournament game against Liberty Christian.
“It feels good,” Daniels said, “because I started out a little rough our first two games. I have more confidence in myself. It makes me feel like I can do it now.”
Ashlynn Allman added a homerun to her double and went 3-for-4 for the game.
Addie Bailey went 4 for 4 for the Bulldogs. Lapel had 17 hits and no errors.
It was quite a turnaround from the loss to Anderson.
“I was really pleased with how they came out today,” Rich said.
He said he likes being the visiting team.
“I like being able to put runs on the board and make the other team feel the pressure.
“I hope this is a huge lift. I told the girls today. ‘Today’s team is the team I expect to be coaching all year’.”
The Bulldogs are 4-2 and were set to play host to Muncie Central April 17 and Wes Del April 19.
