By Bill Rudickbrudick55@gmail.com
WESTTOWN>>Gabby Beltran reached base in all four plate appearances, and Elle Burns allowed just two earned runs as Avon Grove (7-4 overall, 3-2 Ches-Mont) topped Rustin by a score of 4-3 Wednesday afternoon on the Golden Knights’ (9-3, 5-1) home field in a Ches-Mont crossover game.
“We learn and make our adjustments,” said Avon Grove coach Dennis Ryan. “We have a few close ones lately that just didn’t go our way, but we rebounded and played a solid game in just about every aspect and got a nice win over a good team.”
After the Golden Knights struck first with a solo home run from Olivia Shuffler (1-for-3, 2 runs, RBI) leading off the second, Rustin answered back in the fourth, when Michaela Sycalik ripped a lead-off double, then came around to score when Deanna Estes lined a single to right.
The Devils extended the lead with a big fifth. Anna Heisler ( 2-for-4, run) got things going with a lead-off single, and then Elle Morris reached on an error. Beltran brought both runners home with a single to left.
“She’s a strong hitter with a great eye,” said Ryan. “She’s a very smart hitter, who makes smart choices and puts the right swing on the right strike.”
Rustin crawled back into it with a pair of runs over the next two innings. Kelly Fricker (2-for-3, double, home run) ripped a solo shot in the fifth, and then the Golden Knights took advantage of a little sloppiness to plate a run in the sixth, as Shuffler reached on an error, moved over to third on another error, and scored on a sacrifice fly from Jocelyn Garner.
With a runner still on third, Burns worked her way out of the jam with a strikeout. Burns earned the win in the circle with a complete game, allowing two earned runs on four hits, striking out five while walking just one.
“My job is to come in and back up Payton (Hale), so she can get some rest and come back Friday against Downingtown East,” said Burns. “I just try my best to work the corners, throw strikes, and trust my defense to make the plays behind me.”
With the lead down to a single run headed to the seventh, Beltran provided a little insurance, blasting a bomb over the scoreboard in right for a solo home run, to make it a 5-3 final.
“I always try to stay positive and visualize success,” said Beltran. “On the home run, it was an outside pitch, and it felt really good coming off the bat. I knew right away it was going to have a shot.”
Rustin is still in a dogfight for the American division, and after a non-league game against Ridley, will have a match-up with Unionville, who currently sits atop the division, one game ahead of the Golden Knights.
“They fought right down to the bitter end,” said Rustin coach Bill Haid. “We just couldn’t seem to come up with that one big, timely hit that we needed. They have great morale and great spirit. This team works hard and we’re getting better every week. A little setback today, but we’ll bounce back strong.”
Avon Grove 5 Rustin 3Avon Grove 0 0 0 1 3 0 1—5Rustin 0 1 0 0 1 1 0—3WP—BurnsLP—GreenwoodHR—Beltran, Shuffler, Fricker 2B—Sycalik, Clendaniel, Fricker
