Ashland- Kenzie Conrad had pitched just six innings in Keystone's previous four softball games, but after Thursday's performance against much-touted North Royalton, plan on seeing the freshman on the mound more.
Conrad was outstanding in earning her first varsity win during a 5-2 nonleague verdict over the previously unbeaten Bears in the opening game of the 16th Wendy's Spring Classic at Brookside Park West.
"It feels great," said Conrad, who pitched scoreless ball in the first two innings before being spelled by senior ace Kara Dill.
However, when the University of Kentucky recruit was touched up for a run on three hits in the top of the third inning, Conrad was again toeing the rubber in the fourth and completed the deal.
"We were going to rotate both pitchers because Kara's more of a power pitcher and Kenzie throws a lot more junk," said Wildcats coach Jim Piazza. "It didn't take us long to find out that [Royalton] is a fastball-hitting team, so we said let's go back to Kenzie and see what happens."
Conrad responded by allowing just two hits in the following three innings before surrendering a seventh-inning run when Amy Metlesitz and losing pitcher Lauren Balodis ripped consecutive doubles.
"I threw a lot of drop balls and curveballs," said Conrad, who gave up seven hits and an intentional walk while striking out five.
Keystone (4-1) proved why it's ranked No. 1 in the Division I state coaches poll by playing errorless ball, including a diving catch by center fielder Becky Nielson which ended the top half of the sixth inning.
"That catch was amazing, but I know all our fielders have my back," said Conrad.
The Wildcats (4-1) broke the game open in the bottom of the sixth by scoring three runs on a hit and two Royalton errors.
Dill paced Keystone's five-hit attack with two hits, including a double. The right-handed-hitting Balodis, a Kent State recruit, drove the ball to the opposite field on all three of her plate appearances and mustered two doubles and two RBI. Kaylin Clarke also had two hits, while Metlesitz collected three hits for the Bears.
"If we play clean ball, we can beat anybody," said Bears coach Jim Hoover, whose team committed four errors. "When we start making errors, then we look like a regular team.
"Errors have been a problem. We really worked on reducing them, and we had a great year last year, but we're struggling right now."
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