CARROLL — Woodward-Granger knocked the ball around — and out — of the diamond at Carroll Monday, but it was not enough to stop a Tiger offense that put 10 runs on the board in claiming a 10-3 season-opening win.
Carroll grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first at-bat, but Natalie Weaver halved the W-G deficit with a solo home run to open the second inning.
It was all the traction the Hawks would find until the top of the sixth against Tiger starter Julia LaRue, who struck out seven of the first nine batters she faced. A third inning single from Katelyn Bandstra and a Maddi Danti double in the fourth were the only batters LaRue allowed to reach through the first five frames.
The Carroll offense gave the junior starter all the support she would need with three runs in the third and two in the fourth for a 7-1 lead.
Bandstra started the Hawk sixth with a base hit, scoring two outs later when Weaver reached third on an outfield error. Katelyn Scharlau’s follow-up double plated Weaver as the score moved to 7-3, with LaRue replaced by Alyssa Brandt, who induced a ground ball to end the rally and then tossed a 1-2-3 seventh.
The hosts plated three runs in their half of the sixth to cap the scoring.
LaRue allowed three runs (one earned) on five hits in 5-2/3 innings. She finished with nine strikeouts, with Brandt retiring all four batters she faced.
Josie Ayala and Ashley Onken each had a double and a triple for the hosts, with Rylee Ludwig adding two hits, a walk and three runs scored.
Rian Jamison was handed the loss in the ring. She allowed seven runs on nine hits and three walks in four innings. Brylee Bice tossed the final two frames, surrendering two walks and hitting one batter, with errors allowing three runs to score.
W-G is scheduled to visit Panorama tonight before hosting Earlham for a WCAC varsity doubleheader Thursday. They will visit Southeast Warren Friday before playing in the Centerville Tournament Saturday.
