Ortiz blazes Lindhurst

If fantastical was a word, Alex Ortiz's hit would define it perfectly.

While being ready for the first pitch is never easy for most players — Ortiz, apparently, is an exception.

The senior blasted a grand slam over the fence in right-center field to help lead the East Nicolaus High softball team back downs two runs in the fifth inning, and the Spartans defeated Lindhurst 7-2 in a non-league game on Friday.

Sashi Tibbets started the rally in the fifth inning with an infield single and then advanced to second when Nikki Bingaman reached first on an error.

Brianna Lehman bunted both players over, and with the bases loaded, Ortiz showed off her skills.

"It changed the whole dynamics of the game," said East Nicolaus coach Richard Quick.

"It felt fantastical, and I couldn't do it without the love and support of my dad," Ortiz said.

Hitting a batter with the first pitch of the game is never a good sign, but Jordan Stanaland and the Lindhurst softball team shook it off.

Stanaland quickly regained her composure and struck out two of the next three, allowing the Blazers to rattle their bats.

Catcher Dylanne Brown led off the bottom with a triple for the Blazers and Stanaland bunted her in for the first run of the game.

Stanaland and East Nicolaus' Lydia White held the rope from the circle for their teams with two consecutive scoreless innings.

Stanaland hit a double in the fourth, advanced to third on a bunt by Jennifer Rodriguez and then Ashley Gomes knocked her in with a hit up the middle to give Lindhurst the 2-0 lead.

White stepped up her game in the sixth inning and struck out the side, letting her team do more damage from the plate.

Sierra Lehman came out strong with a base hit over shortstop to lead off the sixth, and teammate Anna White was then hit by a pitch.

Tibbets followed that up with an infield fly, but the base runners were on their toes and tagged up.

Nikki Bingaman came up and hit a shot to right field that drove in two more runs for the Spartans. She stole second and was drove in on Ortiz's double to right field.

Lindhurst had some making up to do, but couldn't generate any runs off of White.

White finished the game with 11 strikeouts, no walks and four hits for East Nicolaus (12-3).

"We had mistakes in the outfield, and cutting the balls, but it was great pitching by Lydia," said Quick.

Bingamans, White, and Lehman each had a hit for the Spartans, while Ortiz finished 3-for-4 with five RBIs.

According to Lindhurst coach Bill Biggs, "We put in a lot of kids that don't usually play in."

Brown finished 2-for-3, while Stanaland and Rodriguez each had a hit for the Blazers (7-4-1).