Mustangs drop home opener to Chatfield
Mullen falls 7-1 to Jeffco Chargers in nonleague.
It was not the softball home debut in 2018 they had anticipated. Frustration, indecision and mistakes weren’t on the agenda, but there they were on Wednesday in Mullen’s 7-1 loss in nonleague to Chatfield.
“We have to do a better job,” Mustangs coach Alan Colglazier said.
Class 4A Mullen trailed the whole way against the 5A Chargers, now 5-1 and winners of five consecutive games. In managing only two hits, the Mustangs never seriously threatened. They sent only four balls to the outfield and went down in order four times against Chargers winner Izzy DiNapoli, who remained in command.
Mullen’s only run came in the third inning on a single by Margaret Bertsch, Avery Panazzo was plunked by a pitch and another single by Emma DiGiacomo. Only one other Mustang reached base over the final four innings – DiaGiacomo walked to open the sixth.
“We didn’t have a very disciplined approach,” Colglazier said. “I think we’ll be OK. We have to work harder and be a little more disciplined at the plate, and make plays defensively.”
Junior Marissa Sanchez got hit around a bit, permitting 12 safeties, and the Chargers scored four of their runs with two outs, including two in the first. Plus, hesitation led to stolen bases for the Chargers and Mullen had a couple of issues covering bags and deciding on which one to throw and cover.
“You know, I think eventually I’ll have to be more involved in calling pitches,” Colglazier said. “I think that can make things easier ... and you have to get the third out (in an inning). The third out is the toughest.”
In all he said, ”we just have to fight our way through this. It’s very disappointing at times, but each game we have to get better.”
The Mustangs’ season opener at Holy Family the previous week was halted because of inclement weather, but will be back at it on Thursday, Aug. 23, at home against parochial rival Regis Jesuit.
CHATFIELD 7, MULLEN 1
Chatfield 201 012 1 – 7 12 0
Mullen 001 000 0 – 1 2 1
Chatfield – P. Shepard rf 4 -1-1-0, Wittwer cf 3-2-1-10, Horton 2b 4-1-1-0, DiNapoli p 4-1-4-3, Dipaola cr 0-0-0-0, Bidwell 3b 4-0-1-2, M. Shepard ss 3-1-2-0, Hochevar c 2-0-1-0, Fort cr 0-1-0-0, Washco 2b 1-0-0-1, Meier lf 3-0-1-0, Packard ph 1-0-0-0. Totals 29-7-12-6.
Mullen – Panazzo c 2-0-0-0, DiGiacomo 3b 2-0-1-1, Hawkins ss 3-0-0-0, Brieno 2b 2-0-0-0, Sanchez p 3-0-0-0, Sevier rf 3-0-0-0, Hurtado lf 3-0-0-0, Bertsch 1b 2-1-1-0, Duran 1b 1-0-0-0, Aragon cf 2-0-0-0. Totals 23-1-2-1.
E -- Panazzo. DP – Mullen. SAC – Washco. SB – Dipaola 2, Bidwell, P. Shepard, Meier. CS – Meier. LOB – Chatfield 5, Mullen 4.
3B – Wittwer.
Batteries – DiNapoli and Hochevar; Sanchez and Panazzo. W – DiNapoli. L – Sanchez. HBP – Panazzo (by DiNapoli). WP – DiNapoli. SF – Washco. T – 1:44.
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