Many have heard the axiom that defense winds ball games. The Cathedral Green Wave wrote a new chapter in the book of defense Thursday night with a 13-3 defeat of Franklin County High School. After a first inning that saw the Green Wave jump out to an early 4-2 lead, Cathedral shutdown the Bulldog offense for the remainder of the game allowing only one more run the cross the plate.

The Green Wave improved their record to 5-3.

Jessica Barrett resembles a vacuum at third base. During the second inning, Barrett recorded two consecutive putouts in a 1,2,3 inning.

Barrett also contributed on the offensive end hitting a triple, which helped stake the Green Wave to a 7-2 lead. Betsy McGraw touch all four bags after the ball cleared the right fielder and rolled to the fence.

During the fourth inning, Cathedral demonstrates more defense. Pitcher Betsy McGraw stabs a grounder and tosses to first for the first out. Shortstop, Krystal Groom, snares a line drive for the second out. After a solid Franklin County single, Jessica Barrett records the final out.

The game was called in the fifth inning due to 10-run rule.

Cathedral coach, Lynn Ogden, was pleased with her team’s performance. &uot;The defense was tough for us tonight,&uot; Ogden said.

&uot;After the past weekend, we played a tournament in Franklin County and I saw plenty of negatives,&uot; Ogden said. &uot;I chewed out the team the past few days and we worked hard. The main thing I was please with tonight was that they worked together as a team and was focused. They kept their games faces on for the whole game.&uot;

Ogden knows there will be more valleys in Cathedral’s long season but saw enough tonight to please her. &uot;If we continue to play like we did tonight, we will be looking good.&uot;

Team hitting also pleased Ogden. The Green Wave batting well from the bottom of the order on. &uot;I think in the past the stronger hitters focused on getting the big hits instead of just hitting a good ball.&uot; Ogden said. &uot;Tonight everyone did a good job of hitting. We have been working hard on the tees and it paid off.&uot;

Cathedral prepares for their first district game against Lloyd Star next week.

&uot;From what I understand, they are one of the better teams in the district.&uot; Ogden said. &uot;It will be a good test for us.&uot;