High school softball: Gainesville tops Buchholz 15-3 to keep series streak alive

When the Gainesville softball team took the clay of Buchholz's softball field Wednesday night, the Hurricanes had a long-standing streak to protect.

The last time the Hurricanes lost to the Bobcats was on March 3, 2014.

Ever since, Gainesville has been on the winning side of the crosstown rivalry, a streak that now spans 18 games after the 'Canes topped the 'Cats 15-3 in a five-inning run-rule victory.

"It's a crosstown rivalry," Gainesville head coach Chris Chronister said with a shrug. "You always want to beat your crosstown rival. We were fortunate enough to do that this year with beating Buchholz both times."

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Here's how it happened for the Hurricanes.

Gainesville's Kameron Sumler sparks offense

In the first meeting of the season between these teams on March 7, the Hurricanes needed a walk-off hit in the bottom of the seventh inning to secure the 10-9 win.

Come the teams' second meeting, senior Kameron Sumler made it clear early that she and the Hurricanes weren't interested in a tight affair.

After the 'Canes loaded the bases with one out thanks to junior Elise Knopf being hit by a pitch and seniors Karter Thorpe and Michaela Cromarty each notching base hits, it was up to Sumler to step into the batter's box and capitalize.

And with one big cut of her bat, Sumler sent an offering from pitcher Lindsey Orton over the center field fence, good for Sumler's first grand slam of her career and a 4-0 first-inning lead.

"It's her first grand slam, but she hit a home run last time we played Buchholz," Chronister said. "She likes to hit off of Buchholz, I guess. Obviously, just seeing the ball super well tonight. Everything she hit was like a missile."

The Hurricanes and Bobcats would each post scoreless innings in the second. Buchholz began to find its bats in the third as sophomores Jayda Cooper and Laila Ricks helped scratch across three runs to tighten the margin to 4-3.

However, Gainesville was quick to answer, generating an eight-run fourth inning to put the game on ice.

Sumler led the way with a 3-for-3, six RBIs night. Meanwhile, Thorpe (2-for-3, 2 RBIs), freshman Emma Barton (3-4, RBI) and junior Samantha Walsh (1-3, 2 RBIs) also helped in Gainesville's win.

Health of Gainesville's bullpen on display in win

The Hurricanes didn't get off to the start they wanted this year as they dropped their first four games.

However, much of that was a result of Gainesville's arms being banged up, which forced other players who might not otherwise have entered the circle to pitch. Junior Rianna Griffith was one of those players, says Chronister.

"I give Rianna Griffith a huge amount of credit because it's not her position, but she took it," Chronister said. "She took the position and did her best out there. She did a great job getting us through those games."

On Wednesday, sophomore Josie Kirwan was able to return to action for the Hurricanes after missing much of the season due to injury.

In her complete-game outing, Kirwan gave up five hits, three runs, five walks and struck out a pair.

"This is the first time that she's actually played in a game," Chronister said of Kirwan. "That's a big part of how we performed tonight. Just coming off an injury and coming out and giving a performance like that ... She did a fantastic job."

Starting in the circle for Buchholz and going the distance was Orton, who had 13 hits scattered against her while giving up 12 earned runs, walking four and striking out one.

'Canes hope Wednesday's win is the turning point of the season

The start to Gainesville's season was turbulent as the Hurricanes battled through injuries and high-scoring affairs that mirrored football scoreboards.

"It's hard and people get frustrated with that," Chronister said. "To be quite honest, it's not fun softball to watch. Nobody comes out to see that and nobody wants to play in those kinds of games ... We're still working our way mentally through that. And trying to get morale back."

Not to mention, Gainesville is still waiting on a few players to return from injury. But after the win over the Bobcats, Chronister and his players are encouraged that once everyone returns to full health, Gainesville will be a force.

"If we keep this streak going and, like I said, we still have other players we're waiting to get back, we'll be pretty good by the end of the year," Chronister said.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: High school softball: Gainesville Hurricanes defeat Buchholz Bobcats