BY GENE NARDI
On Tuesday, Feb. 9, the Wellington High School softball team hosted Seminole Ridge High School in its season home opener, and handily defeated the Hawks 10-2.
The chill in the air did not deter the Lady Wolverines from jumping out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Genevieve Mangini struck a single, then stole second base to kick-start the Wolverine attack. Sarah Longley launched a double, batting in two runs.
In the top of the second inning, the Hawks swung back. Catcher Cammie Hamilton earned a double with her deep ball down center field. Kayla Wright sent in Hamilton off a single to cut the Wellington lead to 2-1.
Wellington (3-0) shifted gears on offense and drove in two more runs to take a 4-1 lead in the third inning. The Wolverines gained back their composure defensively, holding the Hawks scoreless until the last inning. Wellington rolled in the bottom of the fourth inning, adding four more runs, two arising from Seminole Ridge errors.
The Wolverines’ sixth run came from an Avery Binnix bunt that was way over-thrown to first, enabling her to race to the plate for the score. Longley struck again with a triple that sent in two runs to take the Wolverines’ lead to 8-1.
The fifth inning was quiet for both teams. The Hawks (1-2) struggled to find the lift they needed at the plate to go toe-to-toe with the Wolverines.
Wellington added two more runs to extend its lead to 10-1. The Hawks battled back in the last inning and needed a big showing at the plate but could carve out only one more run to reduce the margin to 10-2. Wellington’s defensive play was too much for the Hawks to manage on the night, and the Wolverines held on for the win.
Seminole Ridge hosted Forest Hill High School while Wellington traveled to Royal Palm Beach High School on Tuesday night, but results were not available by press time.
ABOVE: Avery Binnix bunts the ball for the Wolverines.
