Niceville softball overpowers Crestview

By RANDY DICKSON

Florida Freedom Newspapers

NICEVILLE - Karen Starnes went 2-for-3 with a home run, walk and three runs scored to lead Niceville to a 9-4 win over Crestview in District 1-5A softball play Thursday.

The Bulldogs jumped to a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning as Autumn Norris, Rene Copeland and Brittany Zellars singled. Norris scored on Zellars' base hit and the Bulldogs had runners on the corners with one out and continued to threaten.

But Eagle pitcher Kelly Hensley worked her way out of the jam, handling a couple of comebackers to snuff out the threat.

Niceville pounced back, scoring two runs to take the lead.

Marisa Wendt, who reached on an error, and Ellen McNair scored for Niceville and Megan Balding and Shannon Brinkley had RBI singles.

However, the Bulldogs (7-8, 3-8), who were run-ruled by the Eagles (11-1, 9-1) in their first meeting, weren't going away.

Crestview scored a pair of unearned runs in the top of the second to pull back in front, 3-2.

Niceville responded by pounding out five hits to score three runs.

McNair had the big blow of the inning, smacking a two-run single that scored Starnes and Missy Milligan.

The teams traded runs in third, with Starnes hitting her solo homer to lead off the home half of the inning.

Niceville capped off the scoring with a three-run fifth, sparked by Hensley's two-run single.

The Eagles finished the night with 13 hits.

Wendt was 2-for-4 with three runs scored. McNair and Balding each had two hits and drove in two runs. Milligan had two hits and scored twice.

Norris and Brianna Currie each had two his for the Bulldogs. They were the only Crestview players with multiple hits.

After a slow start, Hensley settled down and held Crestview to just four hits in the last six innings.

"They all hit the ball from top to bottom," Crestview coach Bruce Hubbs said. "They all hit the ball well.

"We didn't play very well the last time we played them, but this was a much better ballgame. I think our girls showed some improvement, so I'm proud of that."

Niceville coach Danny Hensley credited the pitching and defense with helping turn things around.

"Hannah Thummel made some nice plays at third to get us out of a couple of jams," he said. "The play she made on Norris (tagging her out in the fourth) probably kept them from scoring.

"And once Kelly settled down she was able to do the job and keep them off-balance a little."

Crestview travels to Baker today to take on the Gators. Niceville is at Pine Forest for a makeup game on Saturday.

Crestview  121 000 0 - 4 7 2

Niceville    231 030 x - 9 13 3

W-Kelly Henlsey; L-Shasta Tew