GALION, Ohio — There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, but Madison coach Tim Niswander is afraid he’ll soon come face-to-face with an oncoming freight train.
It’s been that kind of season for Niswander and his snake-bitten Rams.
After dropping a pair of games to Ohio Cardinal Conference rival Clear Fork earlier in the week, Madison got untracked with a 3-1 victory over winless Galion at Paul L. Klehm Field on Thursday.
The Rams (5-6) have yet to play a game this season with the lineup Niswander envisioned. No. 1 pitcher Mackenzie Mullins has been sidelined the past two weeks after being spiked in the shin while covering a base against Johnstown. The injury required 17 stitches but Mullins, who was 3-0 with a 1.07 earned run average, is due back this weekend.
“We had three kids missing the first three games and as soon as we got them back we lose our pitcher,” Niswander said. “Then our catcher went down for a couple of games. It’s been unlike anything I’ve ever seen.
“We’ve had more injuries in softball than we did in football, for crying out loud.”
Signs of Life: The Rams, who managed just one run in consecutive losses to Clear Fork on Tuesday and Wednesday, scored twice in the top of the first. Bailey Kiser and Egypt Murphy each doubled and scored a run, while Alexis Crider and Morgan Russell knocked in runs.
The Tigers (0-12) responded with a run in the bottom of the first when Jaime Ehrman singled and scored on Dani Schirber’s RBI-single.
Madison added an insurance run in the third when Chase Carper singled and scored on an RBI by Murphy.
“We’re getting better offensively,” Niswander said. “We’re starting to hit more. We started to come out of it Wednesday at Clear Fork and we hit the ball a lot better tonight. We had a lot of loud outs.”
As did the Tigers. Galion managed six hits.
“We’re starting to come around,” Jena Opperman said. “Dani Schieber is hitting the ball well for us.”
Glove Work: Both teams were nearly flawless in the field. Each team committed one error.
“When we show up, we’re pretty good defensively,” Niswander said. “The problem is we’ve been pretty inconsistent this year.”
Third baseman Chase Carper was especially solid for the Rams. The senior had 10 putouts Thursday.
“I tried to pay her off, but she didn’t want my money,” Opperman joked. “She was incredible.”
Relief Work: Madison pitcher Cayley Thomas has proven to be a capable back-up in Mullins’ absence. She worked all seven innings Thursday, striking out two and walking three.
“Cayley has done a nice job for us,” Niswander said. “She doesn’t overpower anyone, but the defense backed her up tonight.”
Learning Curve: The Tigers start five sophomores. Only two lettermen returned from last year.
“It’s a very young group,” Opperman said. “It’s all part of the learning process, but they are coming along.”
