Softball: Junior Chargers take first one before coming from behind for tie

Despite battling frigid temperatures and several defensive miscues, the Midland Dow junior varsity softball team was able to take advantage of a dominant pitching performance by Staci Thornton to take the first game 6-2 and pull even late in the nightcap to register a 12-12 tie against visiting Freeland High Wednesday at H.H. Dow High School.

“The cold was a big influence in last nights’ game,” said Dow coach Kim Dankert. “Catching, throwing and hitting the ball hurt but the girls hung in there and overcame the environment.”

You couldn’t tell the temperatures were cold by looking at Thornton, because she was on fire. Thornton registered 13 strikeouts for the Chargers while allowing only two hits and no earned runs. She helped her own cause offensively by going 2-for-2, including a double.

Kelsey Russell went 2-for-3 at the plate to help Dow secure the victory.

The weather finally started to take its toll in the second game though as Dow dug themselves a hole by committing several costly defensive mistakes.

“Our defense really struggled,” Dankert said. “We made some errors and some bad choices at times when we couldn’t afford to. However, our bats really came through for us, especially in the second game. The girls never gave up even though we kept getting behind in runs.”

Jackie Sasse came up a timely hit for the Chargers in the seventh inning to help them draw even and register the tie.

Samantha Wood started for Dow and struck out eleven while allowing eight hits. Offensively, she went 2-for-4 with a double. Kaitlyn Gamble went 1-for-2 and scored three runs.

Dow (2-1-1) returns to action Friday when they host their cross-town rival Midland Chemics. Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m.