High school softball: Medina outslugs Highland in non-league matchup

GRANGER TWP. — The Medina softball team scored another perfect 10 Tuesday night. The Bees defeated Medina County rival Highland 16-3 in non-league action, improving their record to 7-0 when they score at least 10 runs. Medina (8-2) raised its season average to 11.9 runs after its second-highest scoring game of the season behind a wild 23-20 victory over Hilton (N.Y.) on a spring break trip to Florida. "We came in very relaxed and calm, and everyone was in a great mood on the bus," leadoff hitter Katie Rubino said. "We were just consistent. We kept hitting. We were ready to go. "Once someone breaks it open, everyone contributes, gets a hit and we just feed off of each other." Rubino got things going right away when she led off the game with the first of her three hits and scored on a groundout by Ryann Allar. Rubino, who finished with three runs, would have had a fourth hit, but Hornets center fielder Lily Horton made a diving catch in the second inning. That was about the only thing that didn't go Medina's way in the second inning, as the Bees scored five runs to take a commanding 6-0 lead on four hits, including a two-run single by Bailey McCoy, who then scored her first of three runs on a two-out error — the second Highland defensive miscue of the inning. "It's really important (to start fast)," McCoy said. "You just get your lead and then just keep going from there." Errors loomed large for the Hornets (3-12), with seven leading to 10 unearned runs. All six runs charged to starter Kelsey Denholm were unearned, as the freshman took the loss in two innings. "Defensively, we had a lot of players in different positions today," catcher Elsa Riedy said. "I think we get in our heads a lot. We need to just know that we're all good players and tighten up (the mistakes) like that." Riedy temporarily sparked Highland with a two-run single in the third inning to ignite a three-run rally that cut the deficit in half. Riedy's hit down the right-field line scored Caelan Carmody, who had singled, and Denholm. Michayla Oyler also scored when Arisa Murray reached on an error after Oyler walked. "I looked around and knew I needed to get those runs in," Riedy said. "I gave it all I had at the plate." That was all that Medina starter Brooke Housum allowed, earning the win in a complete game with 10 hits and five strikeouts. "She kept pushing through and hitting her spots," catcher McCoy said of Housum. "She was just throwing strikes and getting batters out." Highland reliever Kate Muri kept giving the Hornets chances to catch up, scattering three runs over the next four innings. In the fourth, Allar drew a two-out walk, and Kelsey Swinko (2 singles, double, 3 RBIs, run) and Hannah Neal had back-to-back hits to bring in Allar. In the following inning, Rubino slammed a two-out double and McCoy followed with an RBI triple before scoring when Allar reached on an error. "So far, it's been such a fun season and we've played so well," Rubino said. "Just being able to compete like this is influencing the way we're going to play the rest of the season." Medina broke open the game further in the seventh with seven runs on six hits and two errors. Lily Cassidy singled twice in the inning that saw 12 batters come to the plate. Contact John Urchek at jurchek@medina-gazette.com. Medina 16, Highland 3 MEDINA 150 120 7 — 16 15 1 HIGHLAND 003 000 0 — 3 10 7 WP — Brooke Housum (8-2) 7 innings, 2 earned runs, 5 strikeouts. LP — Kelsey Denholm 2 innings, 6 unearned runs, 5 hits, walk, strikeout. Medina (8-2) — Katie Rubino 2 singles, double, 3 runs; Bailey McCoy single, triple, 3 runs, 3 RBIs; Ryann Allar single,3 runs, 2 RBIs, 2 walks; Kelsey Swinko 2 singles, double, run, 3 RBIs; Housum single, 2 runs, RBI, 3 walks; Olivia Hendrickson 2 singles, run, RBI; Lily Cassidy 2 singles, run. Highland (3-11) — Riley Hoag 2 singles; Elsa Riedy single, 2 RBIs.