Trojans even record, start SEC 2-0 with Demon sweep

The Fairfield High softball team evened their overall record at 4-4 and began the Southeast Conference rotation with a 4-0, 5-2 sweep of the Demons at Washington to jump into first place.

Game one

Eighth-grader Coty Engle hit a leadoff single in the top of the third before scoring from second on a one-out double by freshman Hannah Simpson to give Fairfield a 1-0 lead. Simpson moved over to third before her classmate Jenna Norris reached base. Norris then took off for a steal of second during the next at-bat and Simpson scored when Washington threw it to second. Norris retreated to first and Fairfield went up 2-0.

Engle scored from second again in the top of the fifth on a Simpson bloop down the third base line that made it 3-0 Fairfield.

The final run came in the top of the seventh when Engle reached on an infield hit before moving to third on a Simpson single and scoring on a hard grounder by Norris that ate up the Demon shortstop and gave the Trojans the 4-0 advantage.

Allison Rebling went the full seven frames, collected the win after striking out 10 while walking three and allowed just three hits in the shutout.

'I was just hitting my spots and staying focused and not letting anything get to me,” explained Rebling.

Engle was the top hitter going 3-4 with three runs scored while Simpson and Norris had two hits each to account for the seven FHS hits.

Game two

The Trojans scored two runs in the top of the first to take an early advantage, although Demon Kellie Dallmeyer scored on a single by Anna Venenga to cut their deficit to just 2-1.

The road Trojans added a pair of two-out singles by Danielle Breen and Shay Drish during the top of the fourth, followed by Rebling walking and Breen scoring on an infield hit by Engle that made it 3-1 Fairfield.

Simpson added two more RBI with a bloop double to short right field that scored Drish and Rebling and extended the Trojan lead to 5-1.

Washington's Cameron Malichky reached on a leadoff single, followed by Kellie Dallmeyer and Haylee Wilson getting on to load the bases before Malichky scored on a wild pitch with Alexa Mitchell at bat that made it 5-2, Fairfield.

Kinsey Duwa hit a one-out double for the Demons in the bottom of the sixth and head coach Bob Bradfield responded by bringing in his ace for her second save opportunity of the season.

Rebling took down the side 1-2-3 and is now 2-2 as a starter with two saves in six appearances for the 2019 Trojans.

'I've already warmed up and pitched a game,” explained Rebling of her ability to come in late. 'It's just about hitting my spots when I know my team needs me.”

Coty Engle earned the victory and is also 2-2 as a starter with four appearances in the ring for Fairfield.

'My fastballs were hitting their spots,” explained the eighth-grader.

What does she think about Rebling collecting saves in both of her victories?

'Having her save me every time is really good,” said Engle. 'Knowing that I don't have to overwork my arm. She just comes in and flips it in and it goes well.”

Engle is also a petite 5'2 as an almost-high schooler, envious of her basically adult brother Cole at 6'3 with long fingers.

'When I get my larger hands I'll have more movement,” said Engle with a laugh. 'I hope I actually grow.”

Next

Fairfield will travel to the Hawkeye Softball Complex in Iowa City today to face Class 4A's No. 12 ranked North Scott at 4:30 p.m. and Class 2A's No. 1 ranked Durant second.