Crestview’s Laci McCoy applies the tag on Allen East’s Savana Brooks during Thursday’s game at Allen East. Brooks was called safe on the play.
Jose Nogueras | The Lima News
HARROD — Crestview looks to be hitting its stride for the home stretch.
After picking up a thrilling 9-8 win over Wayne Trace on Wednesday, the Knights carried that momentum to a 16-3 victory against Allen East in a key Northwest Conference clash Thursday.
With the win, Crestview remains unbeaten in the NWC with a 5-0 mark and improves to 10-4 for the year. Allen East, who lost to Ada on Tuesday, drops to 1-2 in conference play and 5-7 for the year. Ada is the other NWC squad with an unblemished record.
“I thought last night we played a game against Wayne Trace and we scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh to win and i told them (the team) it wasn’t a pivotal game but a pivot game. It allowed us to pivot what we need to be the rest of the season and getting ready to head into the tournament.
“The girls are starting to come together and believe in each other and that is what we need as we get closer to the end of the season.”
For Ada, it was a second straight defeat to an NWC opponent on consecutive nights and Mustang head coach Kelly Coble was disappointed with the loss but praised the team’s effort.
“I was really proud the way they fought to the end,” Coble said. “They (Crestview) hit their spots and hit balls in holes and you can’t fault them for that and I feel we tried to come back and tried to get there but it just wasn’t our night tonight.
“I think for us we are going to focus on being the difference maker for the rest of the season and trying to beat some other NWC teams and see if we can spoil somebody else’s season.”
Crestview bats, which Etzler admitted have been struggling of late, exploded against Allen East as they tallied 14 base hits and five extra base hits, with three of those being home runs.
“We kind of exploded tonight which we have been waiting to do that,” Etzler said. “We’ve been kind of singles, doubles hitters here the last few games and it was really nice to see us hit the ball hard and we had couple of kids that have been struggling and now they turned the corner and really put the ball in play.”
Knight Olivia Heckler, who hit one of those home runs, went 3 for 4 with 6 RBI and 3 runs. She also was a major factor on the mound as she picked the win, going five innings, allowing three hits while striking out six and walking two.
Etzler praised Heckler’s outing as well as the team’s defensive performance that saw them play an error less game. Conversely, Allen East struggled with four fielding errors, including two in the third that led to two runs.
“It is nice to see the girls play an error-free game and yes the hitting is where it needs to be going forward,” Etzler said. “Liv Heckler is our senior and she is always around the plate and she relies on our defense to back her up and that is what we have to do.”
Crestview’s Laci McCoy, who clouted two no-doubt dingers, finished with five RBI. Teammate Katelyn Castle went 3 for 4 with two doubles, 4 RBI and 3 runs.
For Allen East, Maggie Wannamaker hit a home run and Nikki Thaxton had a double and scored a run. Savana Brooks was 1 for 1 with a run scored. Audrey Rex and Ella Miller each drove in runs.
As Crestview shows signs of making a big run, Etzler understands the road down the stretch and for a possible NWC title is not going to be easy with Delphos Jefferson, Lincolnview and Ada still on the schedule.
“Our last two games are at Ada and at Lincolnview so there is no margin for error,” Etzler said. “Every night you have to bring your “A”game because we know everybody in the conference is going to bring their “A” game so we have to match it, be more intense but it is going to boil down to three teams.”
Reach Jose Nogueras at 567-242-0468.
