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FHSU softball earns victory in home opener
2/14/2010
By RANDY GONZALES
rgonzales@dailynews.net
The adjustment from high school to college is working out just fine for Maddie Holub.
Holub, who was a standout pitcher and hitter for Thomas More Prep-Marian, made her home debut Saturday for the Fort Hays State University softball team.
In Game 1 of a doubleheader aganst William Woods (Mo.) University at Tiger Stadium, Holub pitched a complete game to pick up the victory in the 10-4 win, and also doubled and homered with two runs scored and two RBIs at the plate. In Game 2, the Tigers lost 12-8 in eight innings. Holub (2-2) took the loss in relief, but hit another home run and drove in four.
"I'd like to say I didn't expect it, but with Maddie's work ethic and athleticism, it's been expected," Fort Hays coach Julie LeMaire said.
Holub had one bad inning in Game 1, improving to 2-1 on the season. She allowed four runs in the third, but was in control other than that. Holub scattered seven hits, with two walks and 12 strikeouts.
Usually possessing a dominant rise ball, LeMaire has had Holub work in a screwball and drop ball to give hitters a different look. But it was another pitch that was working for Holub on Saturday.
"My curve was working for me," Holub said. "My rise ball wasn't working at all."
Holub's philosopshy at the plate has been see the ball, hit the ball. She said she didn't know what the pitch was she hit for her two-run homer in the fourth, which capped an eight-run inning and erased a 4-0 deficit.
"She's the most aggressive hitter I've had," LeMaire said.
Holub has five hits in her first 15 at-bats as a Tiger (.333 average), with three homers, two doubles and nine RBIs.
"It's been a really good adjustment" from high school to college, Holub said.
Holub gave up a two-run double to senior Colleen Dailey and a two-run homer to senior Tara Schulte in the third inning to fall behind 4-0.
The Tigers answered with eight runs in the fourth. Holub led off the inning with a double, and after a one-out walk to sophomore Adriana Wortley, freshman Malinee Powell hit a two-run double with two outs. Two more walks loaded the bases for junior Kayla Rupa. Her infield single scored one run and re-loaded the bases.
Junior leadoff hitter Sara Tani cleared them with a three-run triple to left-center.
Holub followed with a towering home run over the 220-foot sign in dead center.
"I don't look at her as a freshman," LeMaire said. "It's Maddie making things happen."
Fort Hays (3-3) added Powell's two-run homer in the fifth. Powell finshed with a double and homer and three RBIs and two runs scored.
Sophomore Kelsey Schulte gave up 10 runs in 41รขÑ3 innings in taking the loss for William Woods in its season opener.
| Scoreboard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Date | Opponent | Score |
| 2/18 | SW Baptist | L 66-53 | |
| 12/1 | Oklahoma - Panhandle | L 66-60 (OT) | |