The Reeths-Puffer softball team knows how to win games in different ways.
The Rockets demonstrated they can win a tight one on Monday, using great pitching and timely hitting to pull out a 4-2 victory over Grand Rapids Northview in the opener of a non-conference doubleheader.
They also reminded everyone that they can pile up the runs in a 17-2 victory in the nightcap.
Reeths-Puffer is off to a great 5-0 start this season.
Tessa Ross
Game 1 was the more exciting contest.
Northview jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning, before the Rockets answered in the third with a triple by Lainey McDaniel, an RBI hit by Tessa Ross and another by Olivia Ambler to take a 2-1 lead.
Ross knocked in Makayla Jewett in the fourth inning with an RBI single to give R-P a 3-1 lead.
A Northview home run made it a 3-2 game in the sixth, then Ross hit an RBI double to knock in McDaniel and give the Rockets their final margin of victory.
McDaniel made the lead hold up on the mound, striking out 11 while allowing only two hits and three walks in a complete-game effort.
Makayla Jewett
Ross led the offense with three hits and three RBIs.
Game 2 was much easier for the Rockets.
They took control by scoring six runs in both the first and third innings. Jewett hit a two-run double in the first, then Kennedy Maase hit a two-run triple and McDaniel smashed a two-run inside-the-park homer in the third.
McDaniel finished with three RBIs in the game. Kenzie Jacobs stole three bases, and R-P showed good plate discipline by drawing 11 walks.
Jewett pitched the win for the Rockets, scattering four hits while striking out seven and walking only one in four innings.