Oh, those bases on balls.
Ann Leiker walked only one batter as Free State run-ruled Leavenworth, 12-2, in the Firebirds' season opener on Thursday at the FSHS field.
But Free State hurlers Kasey Asher and Lacey Baxter walked 12 batters between them as Leavenworth posted a 12-8 triumph in the nightcap.
It really was a nightcap, too. Darkness forced the umpires to call it after six innings. Free State's field doesn't have lights.
"I expected to see some bases on balls," Free State coach Pam Pine said.
But not a dozen in that second game.
"If Kasey could get some control it would really help us," Pine said. "Still, I thought Lacey pitched well to come in as a freshman under that pressure."
Baxter, who attends West Junior High, is one of four freshmen on Free State's roster. Another freshman, first baseman Laura Abney, had two singles in the opener.
Asher, a junior, struggled on the mound, but not at the plate. She tripled in each game and also had a single.
"We hit really well in the first game," Pine said, "and we played really good defense. (Shortstop) Amy Vormehr had a good game on defense. And Meika (Potter) hit well."
Potter, a sophomore, doubled and tripled in the opener.
Leiker, one of only three seniors on the roster, gave eight hits in the first game, but the Pioneers stranded seven runners.
"Her control was good," Pine said. "She doesn't throw hard, but if we can get them to hit the ball into the dirt and let our defense do its job, we'll be all right."
Leiker has pitched both games of doubleheaders in the past, but she isn't in mid-season form yet.
"She got pretty tired," Pine said. "She said her arm was sore."
Leavenworth's second-game win was the first over Free State since Pine became the Firebirds' coach in 1999. Free State swept the Pioneers in '99 and 2000 on the way to 5-16 and 2-19 records respectively.
"I was hoping to get two today, too," Pine said, "but this is a great group of kids. They know they have to work hard."
Free State is scheduled to hit the road next Tuesday to Shawnee Mission West.
-- Sports editor Chuck Woodling can be reached at 832-7147.
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