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Grizzlies show grit, open with split in SOC By GREG STILES ASHLAND -- The Ashland Grizzlies figure they were slighted by the Southern Oregon Conference softball coaches, who picked them to finish in the second division. The Grizzlies might not have been overpowering or in fine form as SOC play began Tuesday at Hunter Park. Just the same, anyone expecting to reach the playoffs will have to reckon with Ashland. Despite committing eight errors on the day, the Grizzlies salvaged a split against Crater. The Comets took the opener 3-2 before Ashland rebounded for a 4-3 triumph in eight innings. "It's a big thing when you take a team picked to finish fifth and split with a team picked third," said Ashland coach Kristeen Weiss. "We've been in some close games and that's sure to help out as the season goes on. "We had some silly errors. But we bounced back and stayed jelled. When that happens, when the dust settles, victory can be at the end." The Grizzlies (7-4) tied the second game with a run in the bottom of the seventh, weathered a three-error top of the eighth and then came up with a two-out rally to win it. Crater (2-6) pitcher Andrea Perdue got two quick ground outs before Kristen Strait drilled a double into the right-field corner. Sophomore Catherine Clason followed with a base hit in the right-field alley. Strait isn't the fastest of runners, but when Weiss waved her home, she figured on scoring one way or another. Crater center fielder Leanne Foster's throw was in plenty of time, but to the first base side of the plate. The ball popped out of catcher Lindsey Ridge's glove before she dove in vain toward Strait. "I was going to go down," Strait said. "Then I saw her drop it." Ashland took a 2-1 lead in the third inning. Winning pitcher Amy Williams, batting in the leadoff spot, mashed a two-out solo home run over the 200-foot sign in center field. Then Meagan Humann singled and rode home when Strait lashed a hit to center field. But Crater tied it in the sixth without a base hit. Brandy Wolter was hit, took second on a wild pitch, moved to third on a passed ball and scored when Williams tried to throw Foster out at second on the same play. The Comets took the lead in the top of the seventh when Crystal Huntley doubled and scored on Ray's double. But the Comets left six runners stranded in their final three at-bats and it eventually cost them a win. "It was a battle of who wanted it the least," lamented Crater coach Mike Meunier. "We made a couple of none-hustle mistakes. Not hustling to first cost us the game." In the top of the seventh, two errors put Shawna Steinmetz and Perdue on base. Williams retired designated hitter Meagan Bettencourt on a shallow fly to right, but both runners advanced when right fielder Jenna Graven's return throw got away. But Williams bore down and ended the threat by striking out Huntley. "I knew we'd bounce back," Strait said. The Grizzlies nearly bounced back in the first game, coming up a run short in the seventh inning. Crater took advantage of freshman pitcher Megan Beugli's wildness to take a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Kara Ray singled to start the game then Addie Wiersma and Perdue drew two-out walks to load the bases. Weiss brought Strait in to pitch and her second pitch to Steinmetz was rocketed to the left-center gap, just beyond Humann's reach, for a triple. Ashland parlayed two hits, a walk and an error into two runs in the seventh. But Ray got Strait to fly to center field to end the game with the bases loaded. FIRST GAME Crater ........................300 000 0 -- 3 4 3 Ashland ....................000 000 2 -- 2 5 2 Ray and Ridge; Beugli, Strait (1) and Heine. W - Ray (1-2). L -- Beugli (1-2). 3B -- C: Hernandez. SECOND GAME Crater ....................100 001 10 -- 3 5 3 Ashland ...............002 000 11 -- 4 8 6 Perdue and Ridge; Williams and Heine. W -- Williams (3-0). L -- Perdue (1-3). 2B -- C: Ray, Huntley. A: Strait, Helm, Hargis. Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA