Shelby hands Perkins its first defeat

PERKINS TWP. — Perkins softball coach Scott Dickman called Monday's home game against Shelby a "measuring stick." Both teams took the field undefeated and traded early blows. Aubrey Ransom hit a two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the third inning to get the Pirates to within 5-3, but that was as good as it got for Perkins. The Whippets banged out 14 hits, chanted throughout the game and headed to the bus with a 14-3 win. "We've got a ways to go," Dickman said. "We pitched OK, but too many walks. We're working on it. Very young — pitching a freshman and a sophomore." The Pirates (3-1) are scheduled to play at Fremont Ross on Tuesday. The top five batters in Shelby's lineup were a combined 12 for 20. Peyton Bruskotter led the way with two home runs and drove in five runs. The left-handed hitter hit both of her homers over Perkins' shallow left-field fence, which was an enticing target with a stiff wind blowing straight out to center. Bruskotter's second shot — when she reached out for a low pitch and poked it over the fence with two out in the fourth inning — gave the Whippets an 8-3 lead, erasing the momentum built by Ransom's shot. "It's like a launching pad here with the wind blowing out," Dickman said. "Aubrey's was a no-doubter, but the other ones, throw the stick out and let it go. That's why we've gotta keep the ball down." The Whippets' first two batters combined for four bunt singles. Karlie Walp finished with three hits and scored four runs. Braylee Sturts also had three hits and drove in three. Perkins pitchers Maycee Bohn (sophomore starter) and Bailey Wilson (freshman) each struck out three. Only half of Shelby's runs were earned. Bohn threw three innings before Wilson came on in relief and worked the final four. After Shelby scored in the top of the first, Perkins tied it when Sicily Brownell singled and scored when Ashtynn Prelipp singled with two out and Shelby's left fielder made an error. The Whippets, who are averaging 13.7 runs per game, went to the bullpen and pulled away late with five runs in the seventh to improve to 6-0. Shelby's hard-throwing Jordyn Thauvette worked three scoreless innings, striking out six. Perkins' Maddie Rinkes led off the bottom of the fourth with a single off Thauvette, but she was erased on a double play as Thauvette faced the minimum nine batters in her outing. "That second pitcher is probably an all-state pitcher for sure," Dickman said. 'That's a really good team." Brea Thompson led the Pirates with two singles. The first six batters in Perkins' order had hits. "I'm starting six sophomores, a senior and a junior. We'll figure it out," Dickman said. "We've gotta keep striving to get better every day and learn from our mistakes." Shelby 104 310 5 — 14 14 2 Perkins 102 000 0 — 3 7 4 WP: Thauvette. LP: Bohn. 2B: (S) Sturts, Young; HR: (S) Bruskotter 2; (P) Ransom