PANTHERS MAKE EARLY RUNS HOLD UP
By Marc Atwood
marcatwood@aol.com
 
(4/29/08 Chico, CA) A three-run first inning helped the Chico varsity softball team take a 4-0 win over Shasta Tuesday at Haines Field.
 
The Wolves' first scoring opportunity came in the top of the first inning, but they were unsuccessful as a groundout by Taylor Gerhardt left Becky Bland stranded at second base. The Panthers opened up their scoring in the bottom of the first when Kirsten Meyer's single allowed Jolene Koons to come home. Meyer was the next to score on a double by Keri Piluso. A single by Reba Carriere brought in Piluso.
 
Chico lost a chance to score again in the bottom of the second inning when Ashley Pollak was tagged out attempting to come home as Carly Foerster hit into a fielder's choice to end the inning. Shasta was unable to get a run across in the top of the third inning when a groundout by Andrea Schreder left Marissa Westlake stranded at second base.
 
The Wolves' next chance at a run came in the top of the fourth inning, but it ended with Brittanie Brown hitting a groundout that left Gerhardt stranded at second base. The Panthers failed to score in the bottom of the fourth when a groundout by Foerster left Riley Marshall and Shelby Cornell stranded.
 
Chico had two chances to add on to its lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, but missed out on both instances. Meyer was tagged out in a rundown between third base and home plate on Carriere's fielder's choice. Then, Marshall's strikeout left Piluso and Carriere stranded to end the inning. The Panthers added another run in the bottom of the sixth inning when Koons' single allowed Pollak to come home.
 
Meyer went 3-for-4 for Chico with a pair of singles, a double, an RBI, and scored once. Piluso was 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles, an RBI, and scored once. Koons went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles, an RBI, and scored once. Westlake went 1-for-3 for Shasta with a single.