FALLON - After losing a Northern 4A softball double-header to Fallon last month, Galena stormed back with vengeance Tuesday afternoon at the Ed Arciniega Athletic Complex.
Galena pounded out 18 hits in defeating Fallon 14-7 in a crucial High Desert League match-up. With the win, the Grizzlies control second place with an 8-4 record while the Lady 'Wave stays in fourth at 5-7. Elyse Modlin picked up the win, and Amber Smith took the loss.
"They (Galena) went 150 percent better with their 18 hits," said Fallon coach Tami Peel. "We knew Galena was hitting a lot better, but we didn't expect the consistency."
Galena wasted no time putting runs on the board as Danelle Moropoulous blasted a three-run homer off Smith over the center field fence in the first inning. The Grizzlies added four more runs in the next inning on a wild pitch and an RBI single from Kelly Drury. Justine Sargent ripped a run producing single through Smith's legs for a 7-0 lead.
Fallon began its comeback in the third inning with a two-run double from Michelle Beach and a one-run single to center from Smith who later scored on an error. Lindie Jo Gardner knocked in Bethany Ellis with a single to right to get Fallon within two runs of the Grizzlies.
Moropoulous quieted the Fallon crowd with her second home run of the game in the fourth inning. Galena added four more runs in the fifth inning with singles from Kaitlin Porter, Michelle Drury, Kelly Drury and Sargent which gave the Grizzlies a 12-5 lead.
Fallon came close to adding to its run total in the fourth, but defensive gems from the Grizzlies nailed Kristin Drinnon at the plate and Beach at second. Gardner, though, drove in a run in the fifth and Danny Harvey laid a bunt to score Smith.
Moropoulous added one more RBI with a sac fly in the sixth and Kelly Drury drove in the final run with a single to right.