Mt. Vernon’s Drew Fithian throws to first base for the out in an early-season game against Zionsville. Fithian had a double in Wednesday’s game against Connersville. (Tom Russo | Daily Reporter)
FORTVILLE — One night after being shut out in its Hoosier Heritage Conference opener against Class 3A co-No. 1 Yorktown, Mt. Vernon’s softball team bounced back with a good night at the plate, but it just wasn’t enough against Connersville, a club that had hit 14 home runs in its first six games.
The Spartans, ranked No. 6 in Class 3A, added three more to their homer total and handed the Marauders their second straight loss, 11-5, at Mt. Vernon High School Tuesday.
The Marauders had lost 10-0 at Yorktown Tuesday.
“We came off a tough loss (Tuesday) and I think we adjusted, offensively. We had better quality at-bats and we played good defensive, made some great plays. Our pitching wasn’t that bad, we knew they had good hitters,” Mt. Vernon coach Veronica Kirby said. “We knew we were going to have to out-score them, we just didn’t have it tonight, unfortunately.”
Most of the runs were scored in the first two innings.
Connersville sent 10 to the plate in the first inning. Leadoff hitter Sara Ruble and Carmen Ruble opened the game with back-to-back home runs. The Spartans scored five runs on six first-inning hits.
The Marauders trimmed the deficit with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Shelby Rakosky had a one-out single. With two outs, Easton Wampler’s new life at the plate resulted in a two-run home run. Wampler’s foul pop-up was dropped by the Connersville catcher. She hit the next pitch over the right-center field fence for a home run, cutting Connersville’s lead to 5-2.
Both teams scored three times in the second inning. McKenna Lucas had a two-run single for the Spartans. Mt. Vernon got a single from Tori Jenson and double from Emma Jenkins. Both runners scored, as did Ainsley Baer, after Baer’s fly ball to left field was dropped, followed by an errant throw.
Neither team scored again until the sixth inning. Rayleigh Bresher hit the Spartans third home run of the night, a two-run shot, to extend the visitor’s lead to five. Connersville scored one more in the seventh.
Connersville had 14 hits. Mt. Vernon had seven.
Jenkins, a freshman, had two hits. Relief pitcher Sophie Ruschhaupt, another freshman, who held the Spartans offense down for two-plus innings, had a double. Senior infielder Drew Fithian also had a double.
Shelby Wolski relieved Connersville starter Kindred Conley after Fithian’s double opened the third inning. Wolski retired the final 10 Mt. Vernon batters.
It was Mt. Vernon’s third straight game against a ranked opponent. The Marauders beat Class 4A No. 8 Hamilton Southeastern, 9-8, Monday.
Both teams were making contact Wednesday. Mt. Vernon pitching did not have a strikeout, while Connersville recorded four.
“Our outs were solid outs. We hit the ball hard,” Kirby added. “We’ve definitely been riding this offensive roller coaster. It’s been mostly positive, but definitely a roller coaster. I know the bats will come. We’re still adjusting and getting there.”
Mt. Vernon (3-4) travels to Columbus East (7-1) Saturday for a doubleheader.
“I still feel we’re getting better every game, but I feel we need to keep getting better,” Kirby said. “That’s where we’re at. We have to keep growing.”
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Connersville 11, Mt. Vernon 5
Connersville (5-2);530;002;1; —;11;14;3
Mt. Vernon (3-4);230;000;0; —;5;7;1
Kindred Conley, Shelby Wolski (3) and Carmen Ruble; Tori Jenson, Sophie Ruschhaupt (4) and Emma Jenkins. 2B: C –Wolski, Rayleigh Bresher, Bre Brock, McKenna Lucas. MV – Emma Jenkins, Drew Fithian, Ruschhaupt. HR: C – Sara Ruble (4), C. Ruble (1), Bresher (6). MV – Easton Wampler (2). WP: Wolski (4-2). LP: Jenson (2-4).
