Two-run double in the first inning
(photo by Jim Lindquist)
The Paul Harrington coaching era got off to a rousing start with a 3-2 Missota Conference victory over defending league champion and long-time nemesis Shakopee Thursday afternoon at Tiger Field.
"The girls said we haven't beaten them for at least four years," Harrington said, "so it's nice to get that monkey off our back.
"We have been working extra hard on our defense and we didn't commit an error. That was nice to see...Our timely hitting was a big key. We made our hits count."
Farmington took a 1-0 lead in its first at-bat when Ashley Betzold reached on an error and raced home on a double to deep left-center by Allie Rice.
Shakopee bounced back with solo runs in the fourth and sixth innings before the winners rallied for a pair of scores in the home half of the sixth.
Betzold and Amber Doyle each rapped base hits and then Taylor Yousse came through with a two-out single to plate pinch-runner Hailey Monroe. Taylor Hakaana provided the game-winner with a single that scored Doyle.
Ashley Betzold
Nine strikeouts in season opener
(photo by Jim Lindquist)
Betzold pitched the entire game for the Tigers in what Harrington termed a "solid" performance. The junior righthander scattered nine hits while striking struck out nine.
"She got in some jams, but she pitched her way out of most of them with minimal damage," Harrington said.
The Tigers will be looking for more of the same results next week with a pair of conference home games on the docket, Monday with Holy Angels and Thursday against Northfield.
