Cold Weather Can't Stop Hot Bats as Lady Mustangs Shut Out Comets

Despite the cold weather, the got off to a great start on Monday.

For the first time this season, the team got to play outdoors. Prior to opening day, all practices were held indoors. "Solon always has a well-coached team" said Coach Howard describing their conference foe, the Comets.

After Mustang pitcher Emily Kolezynski gave up a leadoff double to Solon's Dani Zysek, she settled down and got the next three outs. Kolezynski, while only throwing four strike-outs, faced just two over the limit in her five scoreless innings pitched.

In the bottom of the first, the Mustangs got to face their first opposing team pitcher, and they made the best of it.

After co-captain Michelle Murach flew out deep to centerfield, the Mustangs put together a string of five baserunners, including a three run, base clearing shot to right center by senior first baseman Danielle Kounts.

Kounts was later driven in on  younger sister Nicole's double in the gap. The Mustangs tallied five first inning runs.

As Kolezynski continued to breeze through the Comet's lineup, facing only three batters in both the second and third innings, the Mustangs added another run of their own in the second.

Senior catcher Natalie Mariano stroked a single to left center scoring Murach, who had earlier walked. Mustangs led 6-0 after three.

The Comets got a baserunner in the 4th on a 1-out walk, but a fielder's choice and a ground out to shortstop Colleen Mackenzie ended the top of the fourth with no damage.

For the Mustangs in the fourth, a solid double by Danielle Kountz after two Mustangs had walked added another run for Strongsville.

The fifth inning found the aggressive Solon Comets to be a little more patient at the plate. But after a 1-out walk to first baseman Carly Simzcek, a line out to Kayla Reed and Kolezynski's fourth strikeout, the inning ended and the shutout remained intact.

The bats in the bottom of the fifth exploded again for the Mustangs, starting with a pinch hit single by Strongsville's Kayla Reed. A sacrifice bunt by Katie Turlop was followed by a Comet error and the Mustangs had two on with one out.

This time it was all-conference catcher Natalie Mariano who poked the shot of the game, a base clearing stand-up triple over the head of the Comet's left fielder.

Kate Mundson, the Mustangs' left fielder and clean-up hitter, then hit a grounder to third. But a bobble by first baseman Carly Simzcek allowed Mariano to score from third.

The 10-run "mercy rule" went into effect which ended the game. The final score was Strongsville 10 and Solon 0.

According to Coach Howard, "Awesome defense and clutch hits" were the highlights of her team's 2011 debut.

Senior Emily Kolezynski had a terrific day on the mound.  Considering the temperature at game time was 34 degrees, Kolezynski threw a one hitter and allowed only three base runners in five innings.

The Mustangs got the bat on the ball, striking out only two times in the five frames. Mariano went three for four with two singles and a triple, while teammate Danielle Kountz had a single and a double.

Lauren Reitz got aboard three times during the game with a single and two walks.

The Lady Mustangs are next at home Wednesday, April 6 against Stow. The first pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.