Ellie Lobdell held the Huskies (3-4 overall, 0-1 Region 7) hitless through 5 2/3 innings and allowed just five total baserunners as she recorded her fourth shutout of the season.

“Ellie has got to be a difficult at-bat when she’s on like she was,” said Warren coach Jon Sitler. “Whether they were hitting, slapping, or bunting, she was tough on them Wednesday. The defense played well behind her today, with Julia Lobdell making the plays we expect her to make at second base, and Gracie Wood getting a good jump on a ball to center. I liked how quickly Kelsey Stuart got a ball back to the infield from right field. When we limit baserunners to one base on base hits, it’s tough to score on Ellie.”

Julia Lobdell and Alex Neureiter had the game’s only hits (both singles) through 2 1/2 innings. Lex Nyquist was hit by a pitch to start the home half of the third. Julia Lodbell put down a sac bunt, but reached safely as the throw went wide of first base. Kiersten Hoffman followed with a single to bring in Nyquist and put the Dragons (7-1, 1-0) ahead 1-0. With runners on first and third, Ellie Lobdell ripped a grounder down the third base line. Julia Lobdell took off for home just as Huskies third baseman Brenna Haight fielded the ball. Haight tried to chase down Julia Lobdell and went for a tag as the pair neared the plate. Haight’s tag came up just short and Julia Lobdell crossed safely for a 2-0 advantage.

“That’s not how we drew it up, so it’s nice to get a break now and again,” said Sitler. “When we make mistakes, I’d prefer that it’s because we’re being aggressive. Our goal is to fine tune that aggressiveness by the playoffs.”

Warren shortstop Lex Nyquist (5) applies a tag to Harbor Creek’s Molly Nielsen (3) for a caught stealing during their game at Legion Field, Wednesday, April 24, 2019. The Dragons defeated the

Celia Chase stepped in with runners at first and second and no outs.

Confusion and controversy followed.

Chase put down a bunt and was out by a step at first. As she crossed the bag, second baseman Madyson Konieczki — who was covering– lost her balance and made contact with Chase. The ball popped out of Konieczki’s glove, but the base umpire still ruled Chase out. With the ball on the dirt, both Hoffman and courtesy runner Meredith Morrison raced home for a 4-0 Warren lead.

Sitler asked for an appeal of the play on Chase at first. A lengthy discussion ensued and eventually the plate ump ruled Chase was safe.

“The umpire ruled simultaneous contact with the throw taking her glove into the baserunner,” said Sitler.

Warren’s Alex Neureiter connects on a pitch during the second inning of a game against Harbor Creek at Legion Field, Wednesday, April 24, 2019. Neureiter punched the ball into right field for a single, the first of her two hits on the day. The Dragons picked up a 7-0 Region 7 win over the Huskies.

Two outs later, Neureiter hit a fly ball to right. Rightfielder Jenna Babay tried to make a diving catch, but came up short. The ball bounced over her outstretched glove and to the fence. Chase scored as Neureiter sprinted into third with a triple and a 5-0 lead.

The Dragons added to their lead in the sixth. Neureiter reached on an error and Morgan Munksgard sac bunted her to second. Nyquist hit a single to center that brought in Neureiter. One out later, Nyquist scored as Hoffman reached on an error.

The Huskies made things interesting in the seventh. Babay hit a leadoff single and Macy Stoddard walked to put runners on first and second. One out later, Haight singled to load the bases. Ellie Lobdell struck out Molly Nielsen for the second out. Carlie Przyzbiski stepped in and hit a grounder to second. Haight collided with Julia Lobdell as she was fielding the ball. Haight was called out for interference to end the game.

Ellie Lobdell gave up just three hits in seven innings. She walked two and struck out 10. She also collected three hits, and drove in another. Chase had a pair of RBI, Nyquist scored twice and drove in one and Hoffman scored once and had a RBI.

“Again, not a perfect game, but we are figuring out a way to win,” said Sitler. “I’m proud of them for that, but they know they are capable of better play even with a 7-1 record. The battery of Ellie and Kiersten (Hoffman) was impressive. Kiersten stepped up again with her leadership, and Alex (Neureiter) is a great example of our next-player up mentality, reaching base all three times in starting for Grace Wortman, who is on the mend. Alex is a team player.”

Warren travels to Villa (2-7, 0-1) for its first Region 7 road contest.

– – –

Harbor Creek (0)

Rand ss 2-0-1-0, Benim cf 3-0-0-0, Babay rf 3-0-1-0, Stoddard p 2-0-0-0, Yonko c 3-0-0-0, Haight 3b 3-0-1-0, Nielsen lf 3-0-0-0, Pryzybiski 1b 3-0-0-0, Konieczki 2b 1-0-0-0, Pinetti 2b 1-0-0-0, Totals 24-0-3-0.

Warren (7)

Nyquist ss 3-2-1-1, J. Lobdell 2b 4-1-1-0, Hoffman c 4-1-1-1, E. Lobdell p 4-0-3-1, Morrison cr 0-1-0-0, Chase 1b 3-1-0-2, Wood cf 2-0-0-0, Stuart rf 3-0-0-0, Neureiter 3b 3-1-2-1, Munksgard dp 3-0-0-0, Totals 29-7-8-6.

Harbor Creek 000 000 0 – 0 3 4

Warren 005 002 x – 7 8 1

DP-None. 3b-Neureiter (W). CS-Nielsen (H).

IP H R ER BB K

Harbor Creek

Stoddard (L, 1-3) 6 8 7 1 1 6

Warren

E. Lobdell (W, 7-1) 7 3 0 0 2 10