Hot-hitting Bulldogs seize control early against Gators

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 25, 2014 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

PRINCETON -- Daily work in the batting cage has paid dividends for Princeton's softball team this season.

Monday was certainly no exception.

The Bulldogs cranked out nine extra-base hits and claimed a 14-4, mercy-rule win over Spring Creek on the Fred Bartholomew Jr. Athletic Complex.

Princeton finished with 11 hits in the 5 1/2-inning affair.

"We focus on hitting the ball, slow (or) fast ... try to go inside and out," Bulldogs head coach Terry Braswell said. "Last year, we struggled a little bit at the plate. This year, we said let's go hit the ball. We're working on it."

Indeed.

The Bulldogs had anticipated seeing hard-throwing right-hander Rachel McCullom inside the pitcher's circle. Ashley Marriner got the nod instead and issued doubles to the first three batters she faced -- Charley Cox, Kelsey Peedin and Hailey Wood. Each drilled pitches into the power alley that helped Princeton seize a 3-0 advantage.

Two walks, an infield error and Tori Paul's RBI double extended the advantage to 5-0 after one inning.

"The game plan was to try to throw off their timing a little bit and then bring Rachel in," said SC head coach Lester Boltinhouse, whose team yielded seven unearned runs on seven errors.

"I don't think it would have a made difference either way. There were several times we were one catch away from being out of the inning then it resulted in one, two or three runs. Defensive errors were the difference ... basic fundamentals of catch and throw."

Princeton (5-2 overall, 3-0 CC) boosted its lead to 7-0 before McCollum broke up Paul's shutout bid with an RBI triple in the third inning. The Dogs tacked on four runs (two unearned) in the third and fourth innings combined, which invoked the mercy rule.

McCollum extended the game with a two-run home run -- her fourth of the season -- in the fifth inning. Alanna Price followed McCollum with a solo shot of her own. It was Price's second round-tripper of the year.

McCollum just missed hitting for the cycle with a double, triple and home run. Price batted 2-for-3.

"They're much improved," Braswell said of Spring Creek. "I wanted to see Tori go (the distance) because she really isn't in 'full-game' shape yet (in the circle)."

Beth Braswell connected on a two-RBI double into the power alley, and Kortney Edwards ended the game with an RBI walk-off double in the sixth.

Spring Creek (4-2 overall) exited 2-1 against league opposition this season.