Manchester Jr-Sr High School

Lady Squires Open Conference Play with Big Win Over Maconaquah The Lady Squires Softball Team opened conference play in strong fashion Thursday night, rolling past Maconaquah 17–4 behind a powerful offensive performance and solid pitching in the circle. West led the way at the plate, driving in four runs on four hits. She delivered clutch extra-base hits throughout the night, doubling in the second inning to score two runs, singling in the third, and adding another RBI double in the fifth. Renz matched West with four hits, while Jarrett delivered one of the biggest swings of the game with a two-run home run to left field in the third inning. Manchester wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, as an Egolf single plated the Lady Squires’ first run in the top of the first. The offense then exploded in the second inning, sending 11 hitters to the plate and scoring seven runs on six hits. RBI hits from Sautter, West, Renz, Jarrett, and Espeset highlighted the inning, putting Manchester firmly in control. The Lady Squires added four more runs in the third, capped by Jarrett’s home run, before adding five runs in the fifth inning. Metzger drove in two runs with a single, Manchester capitalized on aggressive baserunning with a steal of home that brought in two more runs, and West closed out the scoring with her second double of the game. In the circle, Betten earned the win, working five innings. She allowed four runs on five hits, struck out two, and walked two. Betten also impacted the game on the bases, swiping three of Manchester’s five stolen bases. Manchester finished the night with 19 hits, as Jarrett, Sautter, Betten, Espeset, and Egolf each recorded multiple-hit games. The Lady Squires showed energy, discipline, and aggressiveness throughout the conference opener. Manchester looks to be back in action Friday night.