West Deptford Softball Peppers Haddon Township

Entering Tuesday’s game against St. Joe’s, the softball team was in the midst of its greatest offensive stretch in years. The Eagles had produced 50 runs in a stretch of three games, going 3-0.

Then the Eagles ran into Dominique Dandrea, who cooled off the West Deptford bats, surrendering only two runs and striking out 13 in a St. Joe's victory. However, as Wednesday proved, Dandrea’s effort only sprinkled a little water on the Eagles flames, allowing the fire to spark right back up.

West Deptford’s offense returned to form against Haddon Heights, as the team pounded out five doubles in a 10-0, five inning Colonial Conference victory.

“Coming off the loss yesterday, it was good to come back,” said shortstop Marissa Linquist. “We needed to come out strong, and we did.”

Linquist got the scoring started in the bottom of the first inning when she laced a double to deep center, plating Danielle McKeown and Sydney Ponto. Two batters later, catcher Kat Ziegler brought Linquist home with a hard-hit single.

The Eagles broke the game wide open with a four-run second inning. McKeown, Ponto and Ziegler each had doubles in the frame, with Summer Wenzel adding an RBI single.

The run support was more than enough for Ponto, who struck out 10 over five innings, in a game that lasted just an hour and 15 minutes.

“We didn’t think it was going to be too difficult, but I think we did better than expected,” said Ziegler, who finished 3-for-3.

Consistent offense was a concern entering the season, but has rarely been an issue in the early stages of the spring. West Deptford (6-2) has only been held under seven runs three times in eight games.

“It was nice,” head coach Amanda Schramm said of the hitting. “I keep on telling them that our goal is to get better every game and beat teams while we are doing it. We still have a lot to learn.”

While the fast start has garnered the team some extra attention this season, Schramm is not getting caught up in any hype that is starting to build. The team still has a long way to go, she said.

“We are winning games, but I still see very young mistakes on the field,” Schramm said. “I knew that our pitching would always keep us in games, so we have room to make those young mistakes. Looking at the schedule, I still feel like we could win the games we have won.”

The pitching duties have been split between Ponto and Linquist—which was expected after both had solid 2011 seasons. Both pitchers like taking to the mound, but are also supportive when they are placed at shortstop instead.

“I know Sydney always has my back when she is playing shortstop, so I always have hers,” Linquist said.

Both pitchers are likely to be needed during a busy and difficult weekend schedule. The Eagles take on Haddon Heights in a big conference showdown Friday, before competing in the Hammonton Tournament Saturday.

Schramm wouldn’t show her hand as to who would get the ball against the Garnets, but was happy to see the team find its collective stroke heading into the game.

“After the loss yesterday, it was huge to come out and beat a conference team and get our confidence going for Friday,” said Schramm.