Angels’ experience helps team win game

The Blue Angels had every facet of their game working during their 23-6 victory against the Sparks in a Jhawk softball game Thursday at Youth Sports Inc. The Angels showcased the skills they have learned by playing together as a team for several seasons.

“It was awesome,” Angels coach Lee Beth Dever said. “The girls just continue to improve every game, and that’s what it’s all about for our team.”

Sparks catcher Sarah Tah waits for the ball to try and tag out Blue Angels baserunner Sara Oslowski on Wednesday at Youth Sports Inc. Oslowski was safe on the play and the Blue Angels won the JHawk Softball game 23-6.

The Angels got off to a good start in the top of the first inning, jumping out to a 5-0 lead.

Logan Hassig then recorded a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the first to quickly retire the Sparks’ batters.

The Angels added another five runs in the top of the second. Sparks third baseman Emily Davidson had a nice play in the inning, fielding a ground ball and stepping on third base for the out.

The Sparks got on the board in the bottom of the frame. Faythe Brungardt got things started by smashing a double to centerfield. Erica Crandon brought Brungardt around to score with a double of her own. The inning ended on a play where shortstop Sara Oslowski scooped up a ground ball and tossed it to third baseman Emma Perry for a force out.

The Angels took an 11-1 lead in the third inning when Chandler McElhaney singled to drive in Abbey Cassady.

With Caitlin Caldwell pitching well on the mound for the Angels, they held the Sparks scoreless in the bottom of the frame.

The Angels again scored five runs in the fourth. One bright spot for the Sparks in the inning was a play where Davidson threw to Brungardt at second base for a force out.

In the bottom of the inning, Sarah Tah singled to lead off. Hana Bozick then hit a double to leftfield. Tah attempted to score on the following play, but Angels pitcher Caldwell threw the ball to catcher Perry, who tagged her out. Bozick did come around to score in the inning for the Sparks’ second run of the game.

The fifth inning belonged to Angels’ first baseman Chelsea Cassady, who made three unassisted putouts to retire the Sparks batters in order.

First, Cassady went to her left to snare a line drive out of the air off the bat of Marisa Hague. Then she fielded Christina Huff’s ground ball and took it to the bag herself. The Sparks next batter, Estefanie Reynosa, hit the ball to the same spot and Cassady was ready, again stepping on the bag herself for the out.

The Sparks rallied for four runs in the bottom of the sixth and final inning, showing amazing determination in a game that had already been decided.

Tah hit a double to center field and came around to score for the Sparks. Bozick, Davidson and Brungardt also had hits and scored runs in the inning.

Erica Langwell, Ashley Bailey, Abbey Cassady, Oslowski and Hassig all scored three runs apiece for the Angels in the game.

“We quit keeping score at some point,” Sparks coach Brent Crandon said. “It’s all for fun and learning the game.”