By Gerardo Bolong

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Kentridge parlayed a late innings charge into an 8-6 NPSL 4A fastpitch victory against Mt. Rainier in Des Moines on Thurs., March 21.

Locked in a 3-3 tie after five innings, the Chargers led off the top of the fifth inning with a hit batter. The next batter set down a beautiful bunt single in front of home. A similarly placed bunt became a fielder's choice on base when the throw to third base for the force out was late.

With the bases loaded Kentridge began unloading some heavy lumber. and racked up five runs with three consecutive run-scoring hits as part of the five-spot before the damage to Mt. Rainier was stoppped.

The Rams rallied in the bottom of the sixth to tighten up the score.

Nani Gurr led off with a single and reached second on a wild pitch ahead of a one-baser from Mackenzie Corwin. The hit got past the right fielder allowing a run to score. Corwin later moved to third base on a wild pitch. Two strikeouts later, Vasquez rifled a run-scoring double over the center fielder’s head to make the score 8-5.

Mt. Rainier mounted one final uprising in the bottom of the seventh.

Molly McCabe reached first on an infield error to get the Rams rolling. Marissah Banuelos followed with a sacrifice fly to right field.

Mia Christianson drove Banuelos home on a single in front of a Gurr chip shot single, but the charge ended there.

“We had four freshman, four sophomores and a junior, today,” said Mt. Rainier head coach Bret Christianson. “We want them to keep positive. The effort was good. There was a lot of pressure on them. The older girls are learning to be leaders to help the younger players.”

Three MR players missed their second straight game due to illness while another athlete is also slated to return soon.

Kentridge opened the game by scoring by way of an infield error and a two-out double.

MR evened the score in the bottom of the frame when Vasquez launched a stand up double from the leadoff spot followed by an RBI single from Maile Gomez.

In the third inning, Vasquez lined a one-out single through the left side. One out later, McCabe tripled to the right center field fence to push the Rams in front.

Back came KR in the fourth inning to tally a pair of runs, the last on single that eluded the left fielder after bounding down the left field line.

Mt. Rainier deadlocked the score at 3-3 in the home half of the inning as a prelude to the closing action.

Vasquez batted 3 of 4 including a pair of doubles with an RBI. Gurr was also 3 of 4. McCabe batted 2 of 4 with a triple and RBI.

Gurr also played solid defense in center field.