By Christopher Shaban
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
NEWPORT—The Wildcats were going toe-to-toe with one of New Hampshire’s top teams before the Tigers hit machine took off and ended the game early with 12 loud runs and a no-hit pitching performance by Tonya Sanchez.
The Wildcats’ Kendal Cote and the Tigers’ Sanchez were locked in a pitcher’s duel heading into the third inning 0-0. Sanchez and Katie Sharron changed things quickly with RBI hits as Newport took a 2-0 lead into the fourth inning. Peyton Blackington grabbed an RBI single, then a shot off the bat of Cheyenne Hannum hit the yellow line on the top of the fence. She just missed a home run, but her triple plated more Tiger runs. “I thought it was out, but I just kept running the whole way,” said Hannum. Sanchez grabbed her second hit in as many innings and after the third out it was 5-0 Newport.
Sanchez’s fast ball had some zip to it, and she got stronger as the game went on. She struck out the first nine hitters she faced and was dominant all game. “I felt really good today. Cassie O’connor was calling a great game, and her target was perfect all day,” said the sophomore fireballer who struck out 14 of the 15 batters she faced while tossing a no-hitter.
The Wildcats were playing tough and still in the game until the Tigers broke it open. Tiger catcher O’connor tagged a fastball over the center field fence to clear the bases with a three RBI shot. Sanchez and Lexi Durgan followed up with RBI singles, then Cassie Sandborn ended things with a screaming double to bring home runs 11 and 12, giving Newport its ninth straight win. “I was so focused on getting a hit, I just stayed back on the pitch and kept my eye on the ball,” said Sandborn.
“We are like a train, once we get going there is no stopping us,” said Blackington after the game. Newport has two home games this week before hitting the road with five straight games.
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