MILL CREEK — It’s only been two games and senior Kalie Basher is already losing her voice.
“I like to talk a lot,” said the Arlington first baseman. “It started to crack a little (just a day ago against Ferndale March 15) and it started going early today.”
But the Lady Eagles have reason to be loud at the start of the 2011 season, as they are 2-0 and jumped all over defending district champion Jackson early for a 7-2 win March 16.
Arlington kicked off the season the day before with a 9-3 win over Ferndale.
The Eagles rode a pair of three-run rallies in the first and second innings against Jackson to their first Western Conference win.
What would turn out to be the game-winning run came by way of Lyndsay Turner’s two-RBI single in the first inning that brought in Basher and Alyssa Campbell.
Jackson scored a run in the bottom of the first, but Arlington put together three-run rally with two outs in the top of the second on four hits and a walk. Basher provided the big stick in the rally with a 2-RBI triple.
“They were playing deep and I just mishit the ball,” said Basher of her bloop that fell in front of the Jackson outfield. “When I saw that they weren’t able to get to it, I said I’m just going to go for three.”
Basher ended up going 3-for-4 on the day with a triple, 2 RBIs and three runs scored.
With 10 hits and three walks the Eagles provided more than enough offense for sophomore pitcher Veronica Ladines, who managed the game with the composure befitting an upperclassman.
“She showed a lot of poise,” said Arlington manager Lonnie Hicks. “She was just completely in control the whole game.”
Ladines was able to successfully hold off a potent Timberwolves offense, going the complete game and scattering nine while striking out five.
“She’s been pitching for a while and she just doesn’t get rattled out there,” said Hicks.
Just about the only player able to get a lock on Ladinas was Lindsay Robinson who had three hits and both RBIs for Jackson.
“That is a very good team,” said Hick of Jackson. “These girls have been working hard and we got some big hits in some big spots, and that was pretty much the difference.”
