Big hits at the right time led Independence to a 5-2 win at Aurora on Monday.
A bunt and back-to-back singles led to the Blue Devils’ first run in the third inning and a single, sacrifice bunt and a double made it 2-2 in the fifth. The Blue Devils, who improved to 5-0 overall and 1-0 in the Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division, blew it open in the sixth with two singles and a triple.
“It was a good day,” said Independence coach Garry Moore. “It was a blustery day so any ball in the air was a tough play for both teams. It was nice because we’re starting to see the defense make plays too.”
Sophie Piteo started the third with a bunt for a base hit and she later scored on Nicole Ferrara’s single. Ferrara finished the day just 1-for-4 but has been knocking the cover over the ball throughout the first five games.
“She’s second highest on the team (in batting average),” Moore said. “The shot she hit to centerfield was a bomb. Without the wind it was probably a home run.”
Aurora tied the game with a leadoff single and an error in the bottom of the third. Three Independence errors in the bottom of the fourth inning gave the Greenmen a 2-1 lead.
In the fifth, Maggie George singled and Piteo laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move George to second. Katie George then doubled to score her sister to tie the game.
“Katie George has been spanking the ball all year,” Moore said. “She crushed that one.”
Independence took the lead for good in the top of the sixth when Victoria Sirna and Mallory Trombetta singled followed by a triple from Kim Rega, who later scored on a passed ball.
“Kim Rega hit the ball hard three times,” Moore said. “That was a big hit in the top of the sixth. She really broke it open for us.”
Larissa Adams also hit the ball hard for the Blue Devils.
“She hasn’t gotten any breaks but she’s leading the team in RBI,” Moore said. “She was 1-for-4 but she crushed the ball pretty hard twice.”
Sirna picked up the win after throwing a complete game while allowing just four hits and striking out 11 Aurora hitters.
Independence hosts Perry on Wednesday.
