Shortstop Taylor Yousse puts the tag on a Northfield runner at second base as centerfielder Brooke Searles makes the call
(photo by Jim Lindquist)
Ashley Betzold pitched a two-hitter and struck out eight
(photo by Jim Lindquist)
Junior right-hander Ashley Betzold allowed just two hits and the Tigers scored all of their runs in the first three innings in a 5-0 Missota Conference win over Northfield Thursday afternoon at Tiger Field.
The win was the third straight for unbeaten Farmington, all against conference opposition.
Betzold retired the first 13 batters in order and finished the contest with eight strikeouts and just one walk in running her season record to 3-0 with a paltry earned run average of 1.00.
"Pitching and defense," first-year coach Paul Harrington said. "Those are the two things we have done well in very game so far. We've only made one error and allowed just three runs in three games and Ashley (Betzold) has been sharp every game."
"I wasn't here last year but I'm sure with her experience she has matured and gotten smarter as a pitcher," Harrington said. "She's not a rookie anymore."
Betzold also knocked in the first run of the game with a double off the centerfield fence that scored Brooke Searles who opened the game with a base hit. Battery mate Allie Rice also chased home a first-inning run with a single.
The winners added another run in the second when Rachel Breitich reached on a fielder's choice, stole second and scored on Searles second hit of the game.
Farmington closed out the scoring with a two-run third on a single by Amber Doyle, a triple by Aleah Williamson and a single by Taylor Haakana.
The defense was flawless and Harrington said his team's improvement in the field is no accident.
"We've given the girls tons of reps," he said. "That's how you get better at this game."
Betzold and Searles each had two hits to account for half of Farmington's hit total. Betzold, Searles, Rice, Williamson and Haakana each drove in a run.
Next Tuesday the Tigers head to Chaska for a conference showdown with the Hawks to kick off a busy three-game week. Thursday they entertain New Prague and Friday they travel to Rochester to battle Section 1AAA rival Mayo.
