The Ocean Lakes softball team’s short-term memory was tested in Tuesday’s game at First Colonial.
The Dolphins were coming off a heartbreaking first loss of the season in walk-off theatrics to Kellam on Friday.
Coach Jack Wheeler’s club showed no hangover. From the first inning, they were all business.
Dolphins left fielder Chloe Fox jacked a three-run home run to center field in the top of the first to take a 3-0 lead.
Patriots shortstop Skylar Johnston responded with her own three-run bomb in the bottom of the first to tie the game at 3-3 and regain momentum for First Colonial. Instead of getting frustrated, the Dolphins returned with more offense, plating five runs in the following inning to take an 8-3 lead en route to an 11-6 statement win.
“This is the first team I’ve had in a while that doesn’t play to the score,” Wheeler said of his girl’s ability to turn the page. “Whether we’re up or down, they’re constantly out there looking to prove something, and that’s boded well for us.”
Tuesday’s game opened as a slug-fest.
Ocean Lakes (8-1) brought 10 batters to the plate in the top of the second and scored five runs off four hits. After Megan Munson scored on a wilf pitch, Jessica Goldyn lined a two-run single to right field and later reached home on a Patriots fielding error. Alexis Rumans’ RBI single scored Maddy Glaubke to take an 8-3 lead.
The Patriots (5-4) cut into the lead with three runs in the bottom of the second. Third baseman Meaghan Barfield launched an RBI double and scored off an RBI single by Johnston. Chelsea Updegraff scored on a wild pitch.
Ocean Lakes’ power hitting shined again in the top of the fifth inning. With two outs, Glaubke and Fox launched back-to-back solo home runs to give the Dolphins a 10-6 lead. Alyssa Cowan later scored on a wild pitch in the sixth inning.
The Dolphins continued to show their uncanny ability to score runs in a variety of ways and consistently keep pressure on pitchers and defenses. Whether it’s power hitting (three home runs), their aggressive and heads-up base running (seven steals that placed runners in scoring position and four runs off wild pitches or errors), timely hits or plate discipline (just one strikeout), the Dolphins’ relentlessly aggressive offense is tough to contain.
“I don’t think we have a lot of holes,” Wheeler said. “I think anybody can score at any given time. The girls take pride in their teammates doing well and that energy and support system makes the girls more confident.”
Ocean Lakes starting pitcher Michelle Lehan allowed six runs on eight hits with six strikeouts in seven innings. The Patriots’ Kerry Flanagan surrendered seven runs on nine hits (two home runs) in five innings.
Wheeler didn’t worry about a mental lapse following an emotional defeat four days ago. His girls’ bounce-back performance Tuesday was another example of why the confidence is warranted.
“This is an amazing group of girls on the field and off,” Wheeler added. “When they come on the ball field they know how to get their job done. I’m proud of the fact that they didn’t linger on the loss (to Kellam). If anything, they used it to fuel them to get better today.”