Prep softball: Patriots bats too much for PHS

PALMER - Conventional wisdom says that solid pitching wins softball games.

If that were the case, the Palmer High softball team should have easily beaten the visiting North Pole Patriots Saturday, behind sophomore Geneva Ratcliff.

The hard throwing right-hander struck out nine batters, and gave up just five hits in four innings. But the Moose still lost a 10-5 decision at the Palmer Softball Fields.

&#8220When she was on, her pitching was excellent,” Moose head coach Ernie Diamond said. &#8220But we gave up too many walks, and our defense committed too many errors behind her.”

Ratcliff walked seven batters, and the team committed five errors in the time-shortened four-inning game.

&#8220Walks almost always come back to haunt you, and they did today,” Diamond said. &#8220(Walks) and errors will beat even the best of teams.”

Ratcliff held the state tournament-bound North Pole team in check through the first three innings, when they posted six runs on five hits. That effort at the plate included a two-run triple into left-center by Jessica Hollis.

Despite trailing 10-1, the Moose refused to surrender and managed to put together a rally in the bottom-half of the inning.

Margerie Gearing, Rebecca Ratcliff and Haley Brown fouled off numerous pitches from Patriot starter Bonnie Heinekin, eventually each earning walks to load the bases. Kristina Stratton doubled home Gearing and Ratcliff, and later followed Brown across the plate following a passed ball and two Patriot throwing errors.

The late Moose rally marked the end of Heinekin's work on the mound, as North Pole coach Rod Avery called on Baillee Holt to take over. After walking Geneva Ratcliff she rang up Whitney Leigh to secure the victory and weekend sweep of Valley softball teams. North Pole beat Colony on Friday and Wasilla in Saturday's early game.

&#8220They made us work for every run,” Avery said. &#8220Even with the walks they gave up, nothing came easy. The girls were a little surprised by their pitcher's speed. I just told them to stay patient and wait for the pitch we wanted. I didn't want them to start swinging wildly and make cheap

outs.”

For the Moose the loss means an end to a tough season. But ever the optimist, Diamond managed to find a silver lining.

&#8220We never quit, and that's what we're looking for,” Diamond said. &#8220Even when we were down early, the girls never gave up and stayed upbeat. They want to compete and they have the desire to compete. We're going to be back. I'm already excited about next year.”

Contact Darrell L. Breese at 352-2267 or at darrell.breese@frontiersman.com.

North Pole 10, Palmer 5

Patriots 121 6 - 10 5 3

Moose 001 4 - 5 5 5

Pitching - Palmer: G. Ratcliff and R. Ratcliff. North Pole: Heinekin, B. Holt (4) and J. Holt. 2B - Heinekin (2), Stratton. 3B - Hollis.