Cakewalk for Commodores: On To Regional Semifinals
By Ed Pierce // April 24, 2012
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Eau Gallie pushed across four runs in the first inning and never looked back in a 10-0 win over Daytona Beach Seabreeze in the Class 6A regional softball quarterfinals at Eau Gallie High School on Tuesday night.
Pitcher Megan LaFon gave up two hits and struck out six as the Commodores beat Seabreeze 10-0 in the Class 6A regional softball quarterfinals Tuesday.
After winning the Class 4A title a year ago, the Commodores (26-2) showed this season’s bump up in classification to 6A made little if any difference.
Pitcher Megan LaFon struck out six for Eau Gallie and only gave up two hits to the Sandcrabs (13-9), who didn’t have a runner even reach base until the fourth inning.
LaFon worked her way out of a bases loaded and no outs jam in the fourth with a quick strike out followed by an inning-ending double-play.
“Megan wasn’t at her best tonight, but when we needed her, she came through,” Eau Gallie coach Russell Reese said. “We try to get her to stay with things that are working and to be consistent. She can do even better than how she pitched tonight.”
While LaFon was holding down Seabreeze, Eau Gallie kept the offensive pressure, adding a run in the second inning, two more in the fourth and three in the sixth to secure the win and another home game Friday night for the regional semifinals.
Swinging hot bats for the Commodores against Seabreeze on Tuesday were catcher Rachel Engle, centerfielder Mackenzie Conley and leftfielder Alexis Keller, who each came up with big hits for Eau Gallie leading to runs.
“Their pitcher didn’t seem to have much movement,” Engle said. “She kept working the outside corner and we were able to recognize that.”
Engle said despite the easy win over Seabreeze, the Commodores are intending to take each game in the postseason one at a time and not looking past anybody.
“We are talking about not being complacent,” Engle said. “At this stage of the year, everybody is playing well.”
Reese said one thing the Commdores do have working in their favor Friday is the fact they will host the next game.
“Home field is a great advantage for us,” he said. “Looking back over the past decade we’ve only lost a handful of games here and have a pretty good record playing at home.”
Eau Gallie will host Deltona (18-10) in the regional semifinals at 7 p.m. Friday. The Wolves knocked off Melbourne 10-9 on Tuesday night to advance.
