• GAZLO
• CLASS
• JOBS
• AUTO
• HOMES

Craig hitters smack Fort softball team

FORT ATKINSON — Janesville Craig High School unloaded 10 hits on Fort Atkinson and came away with an 8-1 victory in nonconference softball Monday.

The Cougars (10-9, 7-8) posted three triples among four extra base hits against a team that has clinched a tie for the Southern Lakes championship.

“I think we are becoming more confident with our swings,” Craig coach Dan Bayreuther said. “We hoped to hit the ball and now we expect to hit the ball.’’

In Craig’s four-run sixth inning, Kelly Lyke smacked a bases-loaded drive to left field fence, but what should have been a grand slam became a triple because Lyke missed third base and to return to the bag.

“She really hit it,” Bayreuther said. “It went all the way to the fence, and the left fielder had it in her hand when she passed third, but I had to call her back to base because she missed it.’’

Gabrielle Cassady had a double and her fourth triple in two games. Abby Geiger also tripled for Craig.

While the Cougars were hammering the ball, Craig starting pitcher Mandy Smith held the Blackhawks to six hits. Smith notched a season-high 11 strike outs.

The Cougars travel to Madison La Follette today to conclude their Big Eight season.

CRAIG 8, FORT ATKINSON 1

Janesville Craig 002 204 0—8 10 1

Fort Atkinson 000 000 1—1 6 4

Smith and Cassady; Agnew, McGuire (6), Bakken (7) and A. Boos, Hitt.

Leading hitters—Cassady (JC) 2x4, Mortensen (JC) 2x4, Smith (JC) 2x4, Lenz (FA) 2x2. 2B—Cassady (JC). 3B—Cassady (JC), Geiger (JC), Lyke (JC).

SO—Smith (JC) 11, Agnew (FA) 1, McGuire (FA) 1. BB—Agnew 3.