Better late than never.

The Chesterton bats finally woke up and pounded out 12 hits in picking up an 8-0 Duneland Athletic Conference softball win at Michigan City on Thursday.

“Early on we showed signs at the plate that we hadn’t played since last Friday,” Chesterton coach LouAnn Hopson said. “City’s pitcher did a real nice job of moving the ball in and out and mixing some change-ups in.”

The Trojans finally got the timing down in the fourth inning when Taylor Harlow got a one-out single. Megan Matheny singled and Ryan Bozak’s double plated Harlow with the game’s first run.

Matheny and Bozak scored on single by Megan Tymorek.

That was all the offense Tymorek needed as she worked all seven innings, allowing just four hits and striking out seven.

But, the Chesterton offense wasn’t done. Five more seventh inning runs put any hopes for a City comeback to bed.

Tymorek doubled to leadoff the frame. Courtesy runner Ashlee Barkeloo scored on a single by Annette Frank. Mallory McKee had a single and Heather Overla followed with a bunt single.

“Parts of our lineup started making good choices and hitting and other parts stuggled all night,” Hopson said. “So, I decided to try some pinch hitters in the seventh. I knew our hitters weren’t being overpowered and I was hoping they would see some change-ups or that slow curve.

“Our pinch hitters came through nicely.”

With the bases loaded, Sydney Cooley ripped a grand slam over the wall to set the final score.

“The shot of Sydney’s was a blast,” Hopson said. “The fence is about 230 feet and it cleared by a good 10 feet.”

SCORING BY INNINGS

Chesterton 000 300 5 -- 8 12 1

Michigan City 000 000 0 -- 0 4 0

2B -- Ryan Bozak, Megan Tymorek ©. HR -- Sydney Cooley ©. Pitching Summary -- Chesterton -- Megan Tymorek (7 IP, 4 H, 7 K, 0 BB). WP -- Tymorek.

Posted 4/22/2011