Laurel not fazed by rain against East
By Ryan Saxxton
Staff Reporter

Elysa Parrilla slides safely into thtird against the District III team from Laurel. Photo by RUSLANA LAMBERT

Day One, however, was anything but a walk in the park, as they suffered a 9-2 loss to the hosting District III champions from Laurel.

Pawcatuck started on the right track, with loaded bases in the first, yielding RBI’s from Brittany Walter and Haley Rolfe for a 2-0 lead. Pitcher Elysa Parrilla kept the lead favorable, allowing no scoring runs and tallying two strikeouts for the first two innings.

Laurel answered back in the third, however, as a combination of shortstop Brooke Evans’ RBI single and a few Pawcatuck errors put the host team on the board. Two batters later, pitcher Stephanie Wheatley responded with a double that brought in another run to tie the lead. First baseman Jenna Cahall batted in a third run with a single before stealing home at the bottom of the third inning, turning the tables in favor of the hosts, 4-2. Alexis Oliphant shot a solo home run over the centerfield fence to widen the gap, 5-2 in the fourth inning.

The weather forecast seemed to be a direct correlation of Pawcatuck’s defense as dark clouds moved in during the fifth. Unable to score any more runs against Wheatley’s intimidating pitches, they found themselves face to face with persistent precipitation and an unrelenting Laurel team, despite bringing shortstop/pitcher Aubrey Latham to the mound.

Taylor Oliphant popped a double to centerfield to bring in a run, and Laurel put on their running shoes, as three runners stole home to finish the score 9-2. The game was called at the bottom of the sixth due to weather.

Wheatley threw six strikeouts, averaging a 2.33 ERA to give the Division III champs the win on Day One.