Bulldogs beat Bucs on road
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| Waterloo hurler Kelsey Jones unfurls a pitch in Tuesday's game against Valmeyer. Paul Baillargeon photo |
The Bulldogs have several key veterans back to help first-year coach Sarah Renner make an impact.
"(Senior outfielder) Emily Berenz is hard working and very enthusiastic," Renner said. "She is a team leader on and off the field and will bring a lot of experience to our outfield."(Freshman) Lauren Weil and (seniors) Kelsey Jones and Kristen Madden will all see time on the pitcher's mound. Lauren will definitely be our go-to girl, but I expect Kelsey and Kristen to get pitching time as well."
Waterloo lost its season opener 3-0 to Belleville East March 21. The Orange ladies were no-hit and struck out 15 times against Lancer junior ace Julie Jouglard.
The Bulldogs planted one in the win column Tuesday with a 26-0 victory at Valmeyer. Madden was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and four RBIs. Lindsey West scored four runs and Kelly Sandelin, Taisha Furlow and Jones scored three times each. Chandler Miller and Tina Champ also scored two runs each. Lexi Krekorian had three RBIs to go with two apiece from Jones and Ashley Villarreal.
Waterloo scored five runs in the first, six in both the second and third, two in the fourth and seven in the fifth. The onslaught was way more than Jones needed on the hill, as a double to Valmeyer freshman Corine Inman was the senior underhander's only blemish against eight strikeouts.
"Against Belleville East we were very timid, so our goal against Valmeyer was to be aggressive and not take strikes," Renner said. "That really helped the girls feel confident and succeed at the plate.
"Kelsey pitched very well. She hadn't pitched since her freshman year, but she threw strikes and didn't walk people."
Waterloo faced a home tilt with New Athens Thursday before Saturday's doubleheader with Collinsville.
"From day one, I have asked the girls to give their all," Renner said. "This being my first year, I know I have challenged the girls in many different ways that they were not used to. My goal is for the team to continually get better. With every game and practice we must improve on the last.
"Though I wasn't coaching the high school last year, I know the girls lost or won a lot of games by one or two runs. I would like to see the team have solid defense, which will hopefully turn a lot of those one run losses to wins."
