Through the opening two games of the season, the Chesterton softball team had an answer. Saturday, they ran out.

The Trojans dropped a pair of games (8-3, 3-2) in a doubleheader against Mishawaka Saturday morning at CHS.

“I just didn’t think we were in sync today,” Chesterton coach LouAnn Hopson said. “In our other two games, we had an error or a mental lapse that led to runs for the other team. But we came right back and scored. We didn’t do that today and that’s what happens against good teams.”

The visiting Caveman jumped on Chesterton starter Taylor Harlow in the first game right away with four consecutive hits, including a three-run home run, for a 4-0 lead after just a half-inning of play. Harlow would throw just two innings before giving way to Megan Tymorek.

“I didn’t think our pitching was solid for an entire game,” Hopson said. “It was good for a few innings, but would struggle for a while too.”

The Trojans tried to get back in the game in the bottom of the second when Jeannette Sosnowski reached to lead off the inning on a dropped third strike. Megan Matheny’s two-run home run cut the lead to 4-2.

Mishawaka got one run back in the third and added another in the fifth thanks to an error on the Trojans in each frame.

“We had some defensive miscues that hurt us big time,” Hopson said.

Chesterton added a solo run in the fifth when Jaren Lynch’s single plated Heather Overla, but the Caveman scored two runs in the top of the seventh to set the final score.

In game two, Mishawaka again scored an early run for a 1-0 lead, but this time the Trojans answered in the bottom of the first. After Overla reached on an error, she scored on Sydney Cooley’s single to center field.

Chesterton took its first lead of the day in the bottom of the second. With one out, Annette Frank singled to left field. A Sammie Howard sacrifice bunt moved courtesy runner Ashlee Barkeloo to second base. An infield single from Jaren Lynch eventually led to an RBI single from Cooley.

“We need to make some adjustments at the plate,” Hopson said. “It was pretty easy for them the first two games of the year. And when we faced someone that showed us it’s just not that easy, we didn’t do so well.”

A solo home run by Fraling tied the game at 2-all and Fraling’s double in the fifth inning scored Taylor Stoltz for a 3-2 lead.

“Mishawaka slap hits more than most teams and if your defense isn’t sharp, you’ll struggle,” Hopson said. “Our defense wasn’t sharp. Add that with a couple kids that can hit the long ball and it’s trouble. We had two kids thrown out on the bases where if we catch the ball we’re out of the inning. Instead, they get a big hit and score a run.”

The Trojans mounted a rally in the sixth inning after Mallory McKee reached on an error. A walk to Frank and a one-out walk to Lynch loaded the bases. Heather Overla’s lazy line drive to short was snagged and the Caveman turned a double play to end the threat.

“Maybe we’ll get a little more serious in practice now,” Hopson said. “You figure some kids with less experience might struggle, but it’s kind of disappointing that they are all struggling right now.”

The Trojans return to the field on Tuesday when they head to Portage for the DAC opener for both teams. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

SCORING BY INNINGS

Mishawaka 401 010 1 -- 8 10 2

Chesterton 020 010 0 -- 3 6 2

2B -- Chloe Nelson (M). HR -- Shelbie Jones (M); Megan Matheny ©. Pitching Summary -- Mishawaka -- Shelbie Jones (7 IP, 6 H, 10 K, 0 BB); Chesterton -- Taylor Harlow (2 IP, 6 H, 2 K, 0 BB), Megan Tymorek (5 IP, 4 H, 7 K, 0 BB). WP -- Jones. LP -- Harlow.

SCORING BY INNINGS

Mishawaka 101 010 0 -- 3 8 4

Chesterton 110 000 0 -- 2 7 3

2B -- Jess Fraling (M). HR -- Jess Fraling (M). Pitching Summary -- Mishawaka -- Crystal Mickiewicz (3 IP, 5 H, 0 K, 1 BB), Shelbie Jones (4 IP, 2 H, 5 K, 2 BB); Chesterton -- Sydney Cooley (7 IP, 8 H, 4 K, 1 BB). WP -- Jones. LP -- Cooley.

The Chesterton junior varsity picked up a pair of victories on Saturday with a doubleheader sweep of Mishawaka 17-7 and 10-0.

In the opener, the Trojans gave up seven first inning runs and stormed back with 17 unanswered runs for the victory. Alexis King got the win and had four strikeouts.

Megan Legler had four singles and a triple to lead the offense. Lindsey Campbell had four singles and Kayla Karriman added a single, double and triple.

In game two, Jessica Stacy pitched five shutout innings, striking out three and allowing only six base runners.

Alexa Olson had a double and two RBI’s. Olivia Gonzales had two doubles and Abby Canright had two singles and a triple.

Posted 4/4/2011