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April 2, 2000
Carleton sweeps KnightsBy BOB VARMETTE Journal Sports Writer NEW ULM -- It's a tired old phrase, but pitching and defense will win you games. Lack of pitching and defense will cost you games. Both were lacking for the Martin Luther Knights Saturday as they dropped a doubleheader to the Carleton Knights. Carleton took the first game 11-0 in five innings and held off MLC 9-6 in the second game in nonconference softball at MLC Field. Carleton registered 21 hits and MLC committed nine errors in the two games. "I think it's just one of those things, I have no excuses for it," MLC coach Barb Leopold said. "Those that were hit right to us or near us, that's just a matter of focusing and being ready." Sarah Scharf (1-4) took the loss in the first game, allowing 10 runs -- six earned -- on 11 hits in three innings. Jenny Nommensen (1-2) absorbed the loss in the second game, surrendering eight runs -- six earned -- on six hits in three-plus innings. Fauna Smith (6-3) got the win for Carleton in the first game, tossing a three-hit shutout over five innings. She struck out seven and walked one. In the second game, Allison Sirny (3-0) earned the win, working four innings. She allowed four runs -- three earned -- on seven hits. Smith came on in relief in the second game for Carleton (9-3). It was only in her eighth inning of work MLC finally began to solve her pitching puzzle. In the first game, Smith was dominant. She kept MLC off-balance by consistently hitting low, inside pitches and didn't allow an MLC baserunner to get past second base in the first game. "I don't like inside pitches, personally," MLC sophomore left fielder Renee Schiller said. "I find it hard to swing at them. ... We weren't getting around on the ball. She was quick and she could move the ball around." Carleton plated 10 of its 11 runs in the first two innings, taking advantage of 10 hits and four MLC errors. Smith was not only impressive on the mound, but at the plate, too. Smith went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored in the first game. Carleton lead-off batter Ly Nguyen and catcher Laura Espinosa also each had three hits in the first game. MLC's bats came alive in the second game, touching Sirny for three runs on four hits in the first inning. MLC added another run in the second inning, but came up empty until a two-run top of the seventh. Faced with a 9-4 deficit, Schiller earned a lead-off walk and Gena Schwartz reached on a throwing error by Carleton catcher Espinosa. Kelly Gawrisch recorded MLC's final hit -- a single to center that scored Schwartz for MLC's final run. Gawrisch went 2-for-3 in the game and freshman first baseman Erin Gray went 2-for-4 with an RBI. "It was little disappointing," Leopold said. "Not just defense and offense, but I even think bench people, it didn't seem like we were always focused on the game itself. I think that hurts. I really do." MLC (4-12-1) will travel to Gustavus Adolphus in St. Peter for a nonconference doubleheader at 3:30 p.m. Monday. 1st Game CARLETON 550 01 -- 11 12 0 MLC 000 00 -- 0 3 4 Smith and Espinosa. Scharf, Benrud (4) and Rainey. W--Smith, 6-3. L--Scharf, 1-4. HRs--None. 2nd Game MLC 310 000 2 -- 6 8 5 CARLETON 401 301 x -- 9 9 3 Nommensen, Schwartz (4) and Meyer. Sirny, Smith (5) and Espinosa. W--Sirny, 3-0. L--Nommensen, 1-2. HRs--None.
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