Coming off a 0-1 loss to Atwater late in the game, the Pitman Pride softball team was quick to learn from the loss and move on as they toppled Buhach Colony at home on Wednesday with a 5-1 win behind the arm of starter Alexis Mettler.
Michelle Robinson was 3-for-3 with an RBI which tied the game in the second inning and was a vital asset to the Pride offense. Along with the help of Mettler's complete game, the Pride were able to pick up their ninth win of the season.
“We all have the capability of doing great stuff and we really showed it today,” said Robinson. ”I was told to be more aggressive and we had practice on Monday and really worked on hitting and that's what I think helped, all the repetition.”
“I would say that after that Atwater game we had to do a little soul searching because it was a weird day, weird things happened and so we weren't in the game,” said Pitman assistant head coach Greg Mettler. “We chewed them on Monday for the little things and that is what softball is and they responded.”
As a team, the Pride combined for 10 hits and seniors Nicole Bailey and Kalina Malech each finished with two apiece.
Mettler (9-4) was lights out, as she went seven innings, allowed only one hit, one hit-by-pitch and struck out nine. She picked up her ninth win in 13 starts.
“As a team this is the deepest squad we have ever had — period. I think the most athletic team,” Greg Mettler said.
The only miscue for the Pride happened in the first inning after Dyonne Vargas, who had the Buhach Thunder's only hit, struck an RBI triple to left field and they took the 1-0 lead over Pitman.
Calm and confident, the Pride quickly settled down a bit and it didn't take long before they matched the Thunder with a run in the second inning when Robinson drove in Cady Riley.
“This year we seem to have strengths all around, everyone can field and hit so that really helps us out,” Robinson said.
The Pride defense, along with Mettler, kept the Thunder bats quiet for the remainder of the game.
Mettler retired 17-of-20 batters after the first inning and then went off, at one point retiring six consecutive batters.
“Sure Lexi has been great on the mound, but you need to have a full team to do it and they have been phenomenal,” said Greg Mettler. “Defensively we locked it down. Our freshmen have stepped up the way they should have. It takes nine players and they have all been stepping up.”
Pitman would score four runs in the fifth inning after Holland Henson drove in Robinson with a sacrifice bunt RBI to go up 2-1 with no outs.
With no outs the Pride offense went on to score three more runs which ended with a Bailey two-run single.
“When Morgan [Aguniga] dove for the ball that is finishing and taking care of the little things,” Mettler said. “And to me it’s about getting everybody moving and making sure everyone moves to a position and when you think the game you will play a lot better.”
Pitman will travel to Golden Valley to take on the Cougars at 3:30 p.m. Friday.