The Auburn Mountainview Lions took down the Thomas Jefferson Raiders 11-0 to win their ninth game in a row on April 28.
“We’re just working hard and playing hard. Our team has good camaraderie,” said Head Coach Kristin Herren.
Sophomore pitcher Brynne Erdmann was fantastic for the Lions. She started in the circle for Auburn Mountainview and threw all five innings in the mercy rule-shortened game. She struck out seven players and walked one. She also threw a one-hitter against the Raiders.
It’s the fourth time the Raiders have been shutout this season, and it’s Erdmann’s third game where she hasn’t allowed a run. And this was the third one-hitter she’s thrown this season. On April 3, Erdmann had her first no-hitter for a bit, but couldn’t keep Federal Way off the scoreboard and allowed one run.
“She’s great, she’s a dog. I don’t know how else I can describe her,” Herren said. “It’s a huge step for her this season after last season. Last season she had home runs blasted off of her and I just told her to dig deep and said, ‘You can do it.’ I think that builds character.”
After a close call in the outfield Taylor Minton was helped by her teammates Lily Mcmullen and Shelby Mason. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Over the last 20 innings, the Lions have only allowed a single run that spans its last four games.
“It’s all about having confidence on the mound and being able to trust your catcher helps you perform and excel,” Erdmann said.
The offense got going early for the Lions, scoring six runs in the top of the second inning. Auburn Mountainview scored five runs with two outs in the inning on two walks, two singles and a double. Lily McMullen drove in the first run with an RBI groundout, getting the Lions on the board. Erdmann’s 3-RBI double followed two batters later.
Mia Heigh scored Erdmann on a single and the final run came on a Lila McBee single, scoring Heigh and the Lions were up big 6-0.
McBee scored the seventh Lion run on a sacrifice fly-plating Heigh for the second time in the game. Zoey Morph scored on a Raider error giving the Lions an 8-0 lead in the fourth.
The final three runs came in one at-bat in the fifth inning. Melanie Duran came to bat with one out and the bases loaded. She came through with a single that scored all three runners on base and she advanced to third on the throw-in from the outfield.
In the fourth and fifth inning, Erdmann retired six out of seven batters to finish the game on a strong note for the Lions.
As it stands on May 2, the Lions sit tied atop the standings in the NPSL at the 3A level with cross-town rival Auburn Riverside. But a game against Decatur and Kentwood upcoming can prepare the Lions for playoffs and a date with the Ravens for what could be a league title.
“We’re excited and happy to see what we can do and how we’re going to execute,” Herren said.
Erdmann echoed her coach’s excitement but also found a way to get the mental game involved. “It’ll be good to face those teams because it provides that competitiveness … It will help us create stronger mindsets,” she said.
The run of good pitching was spoiled by the Gators who took down the Lions 11-1 on May 1. But the Lions have another chance against a top team when facing Kentwood May 2.
The Ravens host the Lions on May 9 for what could be a fight for a district title with the first pitch at 7 p.m.
