Galena softball sweeps Fallon

FALLON - A monumental error on a routine fly ball gave Galena new life Saturday afternoon in the first game of a High Desert League softball game at Fallon.

An outfield error on a pop up to centerfield allowed the Grizzles to tie its HDL game with Fallon and send it into extra innings. Galena eventually won the game, 4-3, in the ninth inning.

The Grizzlies roared back in the second game for a 11-3 win to improve its record to 7-2 in the High Desert League, 8-5-1 overall. Fallon fell to 3-3 in league, 8-6-1 overall.

After the game, Fallon coach Tami Peel was melancholy about her team's lack of intensity and approach to the doubleheader.

"You can't coach heart," she dejectedly said. "It was a pretty ugly day at the ball park."

Fallon pitcher Harvey had a two-hitter going into the sixth inning when she began to wear down a little. Harvey retired the first two batters before Kaitlin Porter and Kortney McKeon hit consecutive singles. Harvey then walked Jesse Wirth to load the bases.

Danielle Moropolous, Galena's outfielder who ended Fallon's chances at the regional tournament last year, then hit a fly ball to centerfield that was dropped.

"Moropolous ruined our day at zone last year," Peel said. "I told my catcher to keep the balls low and outside. A pitch missed, and she hit it to centerfield."

With Galena leading 3-2, Fallon tied the game in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Kloei Humphrey opened the inning with a walk, and Chelle Lewis singled. Liz Lewis then followed with a single to tie the game.

The Wave had two runner on board in the eight inning, but Fallon couldn't capitalize. In the ninth inning Galena scored the eventual game-winning run with two outs when Justine Sargent's hit to third base was bobbled and allowed a runner to score.

Sargent, who had relieved Williams, picked up the win over Harvey.

Peel said Harvey pitched well considering her No. 1 starter has been fighting the flu all week. Fallon pitcher Tiffany John returned to the line-up today after being gone for 10 days because of illness.

Fallon catcher Bethany Ellis feels Fallon should have won the first game.

"We weren't hitting too well," she said.

Fallon scored its first two runs in the fourth inning on Chelle Lewis' double. Jennifer Easton and Humphrey each singled before Lewis pounced for her two RBI.

Galena coach John Baker said Galena struggled in the first game with its errors, but then played much better in the second game.

"We supported each other," he said, adding that Galena played better defense and out pitched Fallon.

Galena never trailed in the second game.

The Grizzlies scored two runs in the first inning off John on singles from Megan Molinari and Alicia Kraft. Porter and Wirth each doubled to drive in two runs in the second inning.

McKeon drove in a run with a double in the third inning.

In the bottom of the third, Liz Lewis drove in Humphrey with a single, and Ellis doubled in Lewis to cut the Galena lead to 5-2. Fallon scored a run in the firth inning on Lindie Jo Gardner's single.

Galena then scored six runs in the top of the seventh inning.

Kelly Drury drove in two runs with a single, and Molinaro hit a double to send two more runs across the plate. Moropolous finished Galena's scoring with a two-run double.

Kelly Drury, Molinaro and Moropolous each drove in two runs. Molinaro and Moropolous each doubled in their runs.

Galena finished the game with 16 hits off three Fallon pitchers.