Published: May 15, 2008 07:44 am         

Storm walk into regional title game

Salt Fork will play Arcola on Saturday

CATLIN — Patience proved to not only be a virtue Wednesday for the Salt Fork Storm, it also was the key to the Storm’s 9-1 regional semifinal victory over the Armstrong-Potomac Trojans.

The Storm used six walks to blow open the game late and achieved one more goal in their already record-breaking season.

“Any win in a regional is obviously a good win,’’ Salt Fork coach Annie Craig said. “Today was our 20th on the season, and that was a main goal for us.

“There is a lot of hype and pressure when you reach the postseason, and I thought the team responded well to that and had a good game.’’

Mackenzie Stutsman went the distance on the mound striking out nine.

“It seems like the strike zone gets a little smaller in the postseason but Mackenzie did a great job finding the zone,’’ Craig said. “She made them put the ball in play as well and she does so well under pressure with runners on. We have played a lot of close games this year and that helped us out early in the game today.’’

Hannah Darr and Maddy Stutsman led the way at the plate. Darr was 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs and Stutsman was 1-for-2, reaching twice and she drove in a run.

Armstrong-Potomac starter Nikki Rosenberger held Salt Fork hitless for the first three innings.

“I was very happy with the pitching early and we played well for the first four innings,’’ Armstrong-Potomac coach Jim Warbritton said. “We held them down but didn’t get any key hits when we had runners on early.’’

The Trojans, who end their season at 6-15, stranded five runners in scoring position in the first three innings.

Sam Cessna and Jessica Asbury led the way at the plate with two hits each, with Asbury driving in the Trojans lone run.

“Jessi is a sophomore and is going to be an outstanding player,’’ Warbritton said. “We have some good talent coming up next year and she will be a key part of that group.’’

Armstrong-Potomac trailed 3-0 when the Trojans came to bat in the fifth inning.

Liz Todd led off with a single, advanced to second on a walk to Rosenberger and she tried to score on Asbury’s single to right.

Salt Fork’s Sarah Rife unleashed a one-hop strike to catcher Meg Depratt to get Todd at the plate.

“That was a good play all around,’’ Craig said. “Sarah is a converted infielder who has made a real good adjustment to the outfield and has a good arm. Meg made a good pick up and tag to save that run.’’

It would prove to be a key moment in the game as the Storm came back with four runs in their half of the fifth to effectively put the game out of reach.

Four walks and a key hit by Maddy Stutsman led the way.

“Maddy is a freshman and has great potential at the plate,’’ Craig said. “She has been so solid for us this year in the field forming a great duo with Mallory Weber. She has been an anchor for us with her play up the middle.’’

Fellow freshman Darr drove in the Storm’s final two runs in the sixth.

“Hannah has batted third or fourth for us all year,’’ Craig said. “We put the offensive load on her to drive in runs for us and she has responded so well. She is leading the team in RBIs and may have even tied the school record for RBIs in a season with her effort today.’’

It was the last prep game for Seniors Bailey Herron, Jamie Vela, Todd, April McCall and Cessna.

“We had five good seniors on the team,’’ Warbritton said. “Bailey has had a real nice career for us and will be going on to play in college.’’

Salt Fork advances to Saturday’s 1 p.m. regional championship game where the Storm will play the Arcola Lady Riders, a 2-1 winner over Oakwood on Tuesday.

“It’s been a great season,” Craig said. “No one on this team is ready for it to be over.’’