by Steve Batko
Correspondent
So the turnaround has been huge.
The Twinsburg softball team has pushed its overall record to 12-3 after finishing just 3-14 a year ago. What's the real reason?
First-year head coach Tracee McCoy has no specific ingredient for the about face, but rather the difference has come in all facets of the game -- offense, pitching and defense.
The visiting Lady Tigers earned a 7-5 victory over Northeast Ohio Conference Lake Division rival Nordonia April 28. They improved to 3-0 in the Lake Division.
Freshman hurler Lisa Lash got the win on the mound to improve to 12-3. She also had two hits at the plate, a run batted in, a stolen base and scored a run.
Amanda Cox hit a home run for Twinsburg. Also contributing for the Lady Tigers were Jasmine Bentley (two hits and two runs), Courtney Cox (home run and a double), Taylor Menhart (double) and Alex Podmore (single and a run batted in).
Twinsburg had nine hits and three errors and Nordonia (7-10, 2-1) had nine hits and two errors.
The Lady Tigers scored two runs in the third, three in the sixth and two in the seventh. Nordonia scored a run in the first, two in the sixth and two in the seventh.
Courtney Cox had two hits, including a home run.
Oh yes, this team likes to run on the base paths as well -- as evidenced by its seven stolen bases in an 11-0 victory over Northeast Ohio Conference rival Brush April 26 in the first game of a doubleheader.
Thanks to a six-run second frame, Twinsburg beat Brush (5-10) 9-3 in the nightcap. The win pushed Twinsburg to 4-0 in the NOC as of press time.
"I think the progress of the team is going very well," McCoy said. "We still have a lot of work to do, but the girls are working very hard."
Twinsburg banged out 12 hits in the first game of the twinbill as Bentley sparked the team with a 3-for-4 effort at the plate, three stolen bases and three runs scored as Lash gave up only three hits as senior Katie Basmagy had a hitless relief appearance.
Natalie Arnold also had a strong game with a 2-of-4 showing, two runs, two runs batted in and a stolen base. Junior catcher Courtney Cox was 2-of-4 and knocked in three runs while scoring one.
Podmore was 1-of-2 with a run and an RBI. Menhart added a hit, two runs and one RBI and Lash had a hit and a run along with Leah Shusky. Freshman Ambur Farmer went 1-of-2 with a run and an RBI. Lori Tibjash (5-9) lost for Brush on the hill.
In the second game, Twinsburg had 11 hits as Arnold was 3-of-4 at the plate with a pair of runs. Cox (2-of-4, run, RBI) also contributed along with twin sister Amanda Cox (2-of-4, run, two RBIs), Lash (2-of-3, run, RBI), Shusky (1-of-3, RBI), and Bentley (one hit and a run).
Lash allowed just six hits in six innings of work while Basmagy gave up one hit in the seventh inning.
On April 25, Twinsburg lost a 7-3 decision to NOC foe North Royalton (14-2) as Lauren Balodis owned the Lady Tigers.
The 5-foot-9 right-hander who has made an oral commitment to Kent State University, helped allow only two hits, plus slugged three home runs and drove in six RBIs. She pitched in relief and also plays first base. She has eight home runs on the season.
Menhart clubbed a two-run homer while Arnold also had a single.
The Lady Tigers completed a sweep against Lake Division foe Mayfield April 23 as they earned a 10-8 win on the road April 23.
According to McCoy, the offense has been paced by Amanda and Courtney Cox, Bentley, Arnold, Podmore, Shusky and Menhart.
"We are strong through the whole lineup," she said.
Junior second baseman Brittany Prijatel is one of the team's top defensive players along with the Cox twins, Amanda at shortstop, and Courtney, behind the plate. Menhart also has made some game-saving plays.
Second baseman Sarah Tegowksi is the club's only other senior.
And Lash has been lights out.
"Lisa Lash has great composure on the mound for just being a freshman," McCoy said. "She stays nice and relaxed on the mound. Katie Basmagy is doing a great job of coming in and closing the game for us."
Twinsburg was scheduled to host NOC Lake Division foe Nordonia April 30. Results were not available at press time.
The Lady Tigers are set to visit River foe Valley Forge May 5 before returning home to play Valley Forge May 7. Both contests are slated to begin at 4:30 p.m.
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