The Chesterton softball team exploded for 10 fourth-inning runs and picked up its first Duneland Athletic Conference victory of the season 14-1 over Merrillville on Thursday.

“Obviously we hit the ball well tonight,” Chesterton coach LouAnn Hopson said. “Even though the competition wasn’t tough, it was good to see some of the bats swing freely.”

Chesterton pounded out 18 hits in the victory led by Megan Tymorek and Sydney Cooley with three hits each. Megan Matheny, Taylor Bissonnette and Sarah Richards all had two hits in the victory.

Cooley got the win for the Trojans pitching four innings and striking out three. Jessica Stacy worked the final inning and struck out one.

“Sydney did a nice job of keeping the ball down and getting ground balls,” Hopson said. “Jessica pitched the last inning and walked the first batter, but finished nicely.”

SCORING BY INNINGS

Merrillville 000 10 -- 1 1 4

Chesterton 211 (10)x -- 14 18 1

2B -- Sammie Howard 2, Megan Matheny 2, Sydney Cooley 2 (C). HR -- Jill Bohnert (C). Pitching Summary -- Merrillville -- Jessica Vasquez (4 IP, 18 H, 3 BB , 0 K); Chesterton -- Sydney Cooley (4 IP, 3 K, 0 BB), Jessica Stacy (1 IP, 1 K, 1 BB). WP -- Cooley. LP -- Vasquez.

Alexis King pitched for the Trojans Thursday night against Merrilliville as they cruised to a 34-0 win.

King pitched five innings with seven strikeouts and also added two doubles and two singles.

Olivia Gonzales had three triples and one single to lead the offense. Becky Rizer had one double and three singles.

Posted 4/6/2012