Efflandt, Cary-Grove blank Fremd
Lindsay Efflandt was superb in the pitchers circle while Lisa Semro provided the offensive fireworks.
Those were the main story lines as Cary-Grove dropped Fremd 2-0 in nonconference softball action in Cary on Saturday.
“Lindsay was absolutely fantastic,” said Cary-Grove coach Tammy Olson. “All her pitches were working and she was really strong at the end of the game. Lisa’s hits were so timely. Lisa had some great at-bats. It was a good win against a very good Fremd team.”
The Trojans (8-0), who lost both ends of a doubleheader to Fremd last year, grabbed a 1-0 lead in the third. Sarah Kendeigh led off the inning with a single and was sacrificed to second by Caitlyn Adams. With two outs, Semro blasted a single to score Kendeigh.
In the fifth, Beata Krembuszewski singled with one out and scored on Semro’s long triple to right field.
“I got some good pitches to hit the ball well both times,” said Semro. “This was an awesome win against a very good Fremd team. It was nice to beat them after they beat us pretty bad the last couple years.”
Fremd (4-5), which left 10 runners on base, had a golden opportunity to score on Efflandt in the third.
Morgan Brauer led off the inning with a single and moved to second on a walk to No. 9 hitter Alyssa Garcia. Leadoff hitter Ashlynne Schwantz executed a perfect sacrifice bunt to move the runners to second and third. Julie Josten then walked to load the bases with one out. But Efflandt (7-0) buckled down and induced Leigh Farina to ground to second baseman Amy Clemment to end the inning.
“We had a lot of chances and couldn’t get the key hit,” said Fremd coach Jim Weaver. “But, we are hitting the ball hard and those hits will come. I was pleased we had very good at-bats against a very good pitcher.”
Efflandt, who will pitch at Yale next season, blanked the Vikings on 5 hits while striking out 7 with 3 walks.
“All my pitches were working and my defense was absolutely phenomenal,” said Efflandt. “They are a very good hitting team so this is a great win.”
Schwantz, the losing pitcher, allowed 2 runs on 5 hits in 6 innings. She struck out 8 with 1 walk.