Van Buren County softball too much for New London

NEW LONDON - The Van Buren County softball team is for real, and they’ve shown that time and time again early in the 2021 season. On Tuesday, the Warriors did it again, winning their eighth game in nine tries with a 9-1 six inning win at New London.

The Warriors took a while to get going. Van Buren broke a scoreless tie in the third, when they plated three runs, and then added five in the fourth and one in the fifth.

Eight Warriors had hits in the win. Cala Smith was 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Brooklynn Cormier, Tessa Sayre and Callie Kracht each knocked in one run.

Ally Cambell threw six innings and gave up just one unearned run on two hits, while striking out five batters. It was the seventh time this season the Warriors were able to hold their opponents to two runs or less.

“We’ve got good pitching. That’s what it comes down to,” said Van Buren head coach Randy Smith. “No matter who throws, they’re going to throw strikes.“

New London’s Claire Jones was 1-for-3 with an RBI. Ashlyn McSorley went 1-for-3 with a double, and both Elly Manning and Natalie Burden had hits.

Manning threw all six innings for New London. She gave up nine runs (one earned) on seven hits and one walk, while strking out four.

“We’ve got to learn to battle and fight as a team,” said New London head coach Mark Chiri. “We still haven’t come together.“

Van Buren County is now 9-1 on the year. New London is 2-8.