Despite rainy weather, the WHS softball team defeated Union 10–2 on May 8, leaving them in a good position for counties. Westfield beat Union with a score of 10–2, improving its record to 12–8.
Schaefer started out the game strong, registering a quick strikeout of a Union player. However, the next batter up hit a single and stole second base.
Westfield was able to escape the top of the first unscathed as Union hit into a double play to end the inning.
Said Coach Caitlin MacDonald: “After the first two innings, we put a lot of pressure on the defense. We continued to put the ball in play and our hits combined with their mistakes allowed us to have a solid offensive showing.”
In the third inning, Westfield blew the game open and scored six runs. With sophomore Cali Chambliss on first and junior Natalie Tupper on third, sophomore Chrissy Ferraro bunted in two runs for Westfield.
Schaefer followed up the two–run bunt with an RBI double, bringing Ferraro home, making the score 4–0. Junior Sarah Seitz then hit a single and Schaefer crossed home plate, bringing the score up to 5–0.
Sophomore Lizzie Fox said: “We worked together as a team throughout the whole game.… Even when we saw a large gap in the score we kept on fighting.”
In the fifth inning, Union salvaged a pair of runs after a two-run inning by Westfield, leaving the score at 8-2. But Westfield finished off the game with two runs in the sixth inning.
MacDonald said: “We have been preparing for the county tournament with every game and practice this year. Winning the county tournament is definitely one of our goals.”
The teams next game is Tuesday against New Providence at 4 p.m. at New Providence High School.