Prep softball | South Fork takes two from Ferndale in home doubleheader, bests Willits

In two games that came down to the wire, the South Fork softball team defended their home turf Tuesday night, besting Ferndale in both ends of a doubleheader, 5-4 and 5-3. The results set up a doubleheader showdown next Tuesday in South Fork between the Cubs and Hoopa that likely will decide the Little Four Conference title (both teams are 5-1 in conference play). South Fork also prevailed 16-4 in a road game at Willits on Wednesday evening.

In game one, South Fork's Hannah Savio and Leyla Curria both had two hits, an RBI, and a run scored, while Mackenzie Coleman had a hit and two knocked in. The Cubs did get contributions from up and down the lineup, though, which was especially encouraging to Cubs head coach Lisa Todd because Savio and Curria are toward the bottom of the scorecard. The majority of South Fork's players got a hit in the contest.

"We got runners on, the theme of the day was not getting the big hit with runners on base in both games," said Ferndale head coach Jeremy Griffith. "We had our chances, but the South Fork pitcher (Coleman) made some good pitches to get out of jams. We had our opportunities, we just couldn't cash in on them."

Tinnley Pidgeon and Abagail Gossi got credit for their hitting on the day, Pidgeon with a homer, two hits, and two runs scored, in game one, Gossi with two hits, one scored, and one knocked in. Makenzie Chambers also scored, had a run batted in, and had a hit. She also had a couple of key hits in the final game.

"Pitching-wise, I thought Olivia (Gossi) threw well both games," said Griffith.

Ferndale scored three runs in the top of the fourth inning to stake itself to a 4-1 lead before South Fork rallied for three runs in the bottom of the frame to tie, eking out its last run in the bottom of the sixth for the victory.

"With Ferndale, they have very good hitters, so we had to really tighten up our defense," said Todd. "It was kind of all over the place. They would do well, and then we would. They had the bases loaded in the top of seventh with their home run hitter up, so it was a very stressful situation." Coleman ended up going with a new pitch she had been practicing in the clutch, which worked for the Cubs. Coleman had 10 strikeouts and just two walks on the game, one that Todd said had great offense, pitching, and defense on both sides. "She's a great pitcher, and can stay composed when she needs to be," continued Todd. "She doesn't get in her head, but she's a thinker, looking ahead, just a level-headed player."

"We put some pressure on them early, and they responded in that first game," said Griffith. "We kept battling, but never got that hit with two outs and runners in scoring position." Pidgeon hit her homer in the first inning.

In game two, South Fork had two runs in the first and third innings, Ferndale scoring one in the second and third. Both teams plated runs late but the Wildcats couldn't close the gap in the 5-3 loss. Olivia Gossi only allowed three earned runs and three walks for Ferndale in the circle, but South Fork had 10 hits to help their cause. "She pitched to contact and let her defense play behind her," said Griffith. Ferndale limited its errors to five on the whole day. Chambers had a double, two hits, and an RBI, while Madison Gossi hit a solo homer and got one other hit.

For the Cubs, Coleman again pitched well, allowing only three runs off four walks and four strikeouts with eight hits. She also had a double, two hits, and a run hitting, to go with Hailey Shepherd's three hits, two doubles, two runs, and RBI. Aubrey Young also had two hits and knocked in two.

"We were just going from one base at a time and hoping for the best," said Todd. "With girls softball, it goes either way." Coleman only allowed the three earned runs, though with four strikeouts and four walks in this game to go with eight hits. "On defense, we cut down our errors this time, and on offense, we're still not on great pitch selection, but they did better in the second game than game one. Ferndale has a good pitcher, and you've got to stay on top of her, so that's what we tried to do in game two, not get behind."

Griffith offered a similar take.

"They did pretty well overall, a couple plays we didn't make that I think we could've, but in the end I thought they played pretty well defensively throughout the day," Griffith said.

The Wildcats now get ready for the second half of league with a road doubleheader next Tuesday at Bear River against conference-winless St. Bernard's, which has nonetheless played competitive softball with each opponent so far. "I think it's very competitive," added Griffiths. "And as St. Bernard's showed Tuesday in their doubleheader, there's not a lot separating these teams, if they make a play here or there in any of these games, it swings. All the games in the league have been close this year, and it's pretty balanced."

In South Fork's 16-4 win over Willits on Wednesday, Todd said, "Kenz did really good in the circle, our defense was really good and we talked really well, and at the plate we were very patient finally."

South Fork poured it on late against the Wolverines, with four runs in the fifth inning, three in the sixth, and four in the seventh. Sophomore Kendall Kercher led the team with her 5 RBIs to go with two hits, a double, and two runs scored. Molly Perkins had a double, three hits, three knocked in, and a run scored, while Shepherd had three hits, plated one, and scored twice. Both Coleman and Makenzie Brewer had two hits and four runs scored, Coleman with an RBI, and Savio had two hits and two runs scored.

Coleman allowed just one earned run, giving up seven hits and one walk with seven strikeouts.

In advance of the Hoopa doubleheader next week at home, Todd said, "We just need to work on hitting. Hoopa also has a very good pitcher, outfield we have some things to clean up there, and patience at the plate is going to be our struggle."

South Fork is now 10-7 on the year and Ferndale is 9-5 (2-4 conference).

Ken McCanless can be reached at 707-441-0526.

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