Rams butt SK in 14-1 drubbing

No offense. No pitching.

No hope.

Erin Cross started with a three-run home run in the first inning and Wilson scored at least one run in every inning except the fifth to capture a 14-1 win in six innings Friday at South Kitsap in Narrows League fastpitch play.

It was quite a contrast from the Wolves’ first two games of the season when they combined to outscore Olympic and Foss 27-6.

“We were really focused, but I think when we got out there and the first inning went the way it did, it just went downhill from there,” South third baseman Kirstie Cosgrove said. “Their bats are really good.”

After Cross, who went 2 for 3, hit her home run off South starter Alexis O’Dell, the Rams added one run in both the second and third innings. The Wolves (2-1 overall, 1-1 league) scored their lone run in the third when Holly Lider crossed home.

Besides that, South had little success solving Wilson starter Kelly Ruth, who limited the Wolves to four hits.

Breann Booher, who went 2 for 3, had half of South’s hits.

“She hit her spots and had a lot of movement on her ball, but it wasn’t extraordinary,” Cosgrove said. “A lot of our players looked at the third strike, and that’s not the way it should be.”

South coach Kathy Ballew agreed that while Ruth is “a good pitcher,” her team should have done more against her.

“I know we can hit her,” she said. “She’s not overpowering.”

Wilson (4-0, 3-0), which has won the last four meetings against South, captured the Bridge Division last year and is in first place again this season. The Rams scored six runs in the sixth inning to end the game.

“They’re vying for first and we still think we have a shot at it,” Ballew said. “We’ve got to bounce back and take care of business.”

South continued with league play Monday at Gig Harbor — results weren’t available by press time — and continued at 3:30 p.m. today at Olympia. The Wolves return home at 3:30 p.m. on Friday against Bellarmine Prep and then take a week off for spring break.

“We have a lot of season left and we’ll be able to bounce back from it,” Ballew said. “There’s nowhere to go but up.”

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.