Rams’ softball team takes control in fifth inning.
By: Tim Falls
The Lawrence High School varsity softball team fell short for the fourth time this season in a game against Hightstown on Monday.
The Cardinals gained a one-run lead in the top of the fifth but gave up nine runs in the bottom of the inning and lost, 15-5, after the Rams added two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and ended the game by the 10-run mercy rule.
Lawrence fought all seven innings against Lawrenceville on Tuesday, but lost to the Big Red, 14-5.
Even with an 0-7 record, Lawrence coach Keith Fithen can still point to positives.
The Cardinals have led their opponents in four of their seven losses. Fithen feels they just need to hold out and play strong for a complete game.
"Out of six games, we’ve led four," said Fithen after the loss to Hightstown. "We haven’t been strong enough to hold on. That’s why we’ve faltered."
Lawrence originally took a lead against Hightstown with two runs in the top of the second. The Rams went ahead with three runs in the bottom of the third and scored a fourth run in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Kathryn Mills gave Lawrence the advantage and hopes of its first win by scoring on a wild pitch in the top of the fifth inning.
Amanda Sawasky knocked in two runs, including one that tied the game, 4-4, in the top of the fifth inning.
Allie Price had the big hit for Lawrence with an RBI double, but Hightstown’s hits were much bigger.
Brianne Teichmann homered twice for the Rams. Teichmann blasted a two-run home run in Hightstown’s three-run third inning and had a three-run homer as the Rams rallied with nine runs in the fifth.
Katelyn Fecak took the loss and fell to 0-4 this season after giving up 15 hits.
"We’re not playing consistently," said Fithen. "It’s a good play and a bad play, then a bad play and a good play."
Fithen said he hopes his girls can start stringing the good plays together and finally get their win.
"I’m seeing a lot of individual improvement," said Fithen. "They just have to come together as a team."
Fithen pointed out the improvements by comparing the loss to Hightstown to the previous loss down in Disney World.
"It was over by the fourth inning," said Fithen of the loss in Orlando. "Against Hightstown we were battling into the sixth."
Even though Lawrence lost both by 10 runs, the Cardinals competed with Hightstown for five innings.
It wasn’t until the bottom of the fifth that Lawrence fell out of reach.
It may be small steps forward, but it is still progress for Lawrence.
"We’ve lost six, but we’ve been in every game but the first one," said Fithen. "It’s not like we’re the worst team in the league."
Lawrence never led against Lawrenceville, but the Cardinals proved they could generate some offense with five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Kathryn Mills accounted for most of those runs with a three-run homer.
Amanda Sawasky doubled twice for Lawrence, while losing pitcher Katelyn Fecak and Mills each had two hits.
Lawrenceville never gave the Cardinals a chance. The Big Red scored six runs in the top of the first inning and added single runs in the second and third inning.
Lawrenceville scored four more runs in the top of the fourth and drove in two more runs before the end of the game.

