Softball Fields Multiple Victories Monday, Including Rare Triple Play

Monday night was one for the record books for the Greenhills varsity softball team.  Not only did they sweep Willow Run in a double header (27-7 and 14-3), but pitcher Lauren Abbot threw her 100th strike-out, and Patty Simmer ’13 and Allie Chatas ’14 combined for an extremely rare triple play.

Abbott’s 100th strike-out came in the second inning.  “She had no idea she was that close to it,” says Coach Julie Smith, “but I was keeping track. She was only four away going into the game. I told the umpire before the game that she would most likely happen.”  So when it did, the umpire stopped the game and Smith ran out on the field to grab the ball for posterity. Then in the third inning, shortstop Patty Simmer and first baseman Allie Chatas double-handedly turned a rarely-seen triple play (Simmer to Chatas back to Simmer).  “I’ve never seen a triple play at this level before,” says Smith.  “It’s just phenomenal, and shows that the team is really playing like a team.” The Gryphons are 8-2 in league play and face Manchester in the first round of districts next Tuesday.