Softball: Lexi Schrader notches 100th career hit in Firelands' win over Wellington

WELLINGTON — It took a little while, but Firelands senior Lexi Schrader reached a milestone in her career Monday. Schrader's opposite-field triple to right in the fourth inning was her 100th hit as a Falcon, and her team rolled to a 12-3 win over winless Wellington. Firelands improved to 2-3 and 1-0 in the Lorain County League, while the Dukes fell to 0-8 and 0-3 in the LCL. "I think it's really special to be on this team with everybody," she said. "It's a special moment for all of us." Schrader's first at-bat to lead off the game was a line shot to left that was caught by sophomore Leighla Selzer, who wears the same No. 12 as Schrader. Schrader put the ball in play again in the second but it was scored an error. "I was a little nervous," said Schrader, a four-year letterwinner. "That first one was a nice catch. Because of all the rain, it really just feels good to be out here playing. It's good to win." Finally, leading off the fourth with an 0-2 count, she ripped an outside pitch over the head of Hannah Lewis in right for a triple. She scored on a single by sophomore pitcher Jeannette Crawford, who limited the Dukes to just one hit in the circle. "Lexi's an amazing player. I'm so proud of her," said Firelands coach Chad Parsons, who requested the game halted if and when Schrader delivered No. 100. She was presented with the game ball and a sign signifying the accomplishment. "Not too many girls can say, 'I got 100 hits in my high school career.' She did it early in her senior year. Just thankful to have her on my team. She's been reliable her entire career." Firelands took care of business with a run in the first and five more in the second. Crawford, who struck out 11, walked five and hit a batter, gave up an RBI double to junior Courtney Krosse in Wellington's two-run fourth inning to break up her shutout bid. She allowed an unearned run in the sixth. "Jeannette's a great pitcher for her first year," said Parsons. "She really focuses on the batter, hitting her spots. She's pitching really good this year and the defense is backing her up." Schrader, Crawfod, Karlee Songer, Avery Kline, Kayla Aslaksen and Lyla Keathley all finished with two hits. The Dukes never gave up and were still doing chants from the dugout, trying to rally their teammates. Beside Selzer's great catch in the first, junior center fielder Kiera Phillips ran down a drive off the bat of senior Addison Beal ticketed for extra bases in the sixth. "We were scrappy," said Wellington coach Michele Davison. "We didn't let it get us down and we kept pushing. We're just struggling to get runs across the plate right now. We're too much in our heads." Contact Tim Gebhardt at 329-7135 or at timothygeb@msn.com.