Big fifth inning propels Muskegon Catholic over Western Michigan Christian in softball

Local Sports Journal

Muskegon Catholic Central broke open a tight game with eight runs in the fifth inning on Tuesday and defeated Western Michigan Christian 12-6 in a six-inning softball game.

Courtney Vanderwater and Katie Sullivan had two hits each for the Crusaders. Vanderwater knocked in two runs and Sullivan scored two runs and knocked in another.

Pitcher Caroline Price pitched six innings and allowed one earned run, struck out seven and allowed just one hit.

Lorelle Hallenbeck had WMC’s lone hit. She scored on run and knocked in the other.

Warrior pitcher Anna Sweetman allowed four earned runs. She struck out six and walked two.

“For the first four innings, we kept the game close,” WMC coach Jeff Nestell said. “The 8-run 5th inning did us in, but I was proud of our girls and how they didn’t give up, even when we were struggling to make plays in the field.”