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Dani Miller’s 4 for 4 performance propels Shore softball past Warrior Run

Dani Miller of Jersey Shore watches her hit drop in for a single against Warrior Run in the 4th inning at Warrior Run High School Friday afternoon. Shore won, 13-7. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

TURBOTVILLE–Hitting lead-off since her first varsity game, Jersey Shore shortstop Dani Miller has learned a lot the past three seasons. She knows her role, understands her approach and continues setting the table while sparking a potent offense.

She also is hitting everything in sight.

Miller continued her three-day rampage Friday at Warrior Run, going 4 for 4 with a triple, walk and three runs while helping Jersey Shore win, 13-7. Kylie Schall went 3 for 3, Annika Clark slammed a three-run home run and 10 Bulldogs produced hits and/or RBIs as Jersey Shore (6-1) won its fourth game in three days.

“The key right now, being a lead-off batter, is seeing as many pitches as you can,” Miller said. “I have to have a two-strike approach, choke up and get the ball in play. I’m just trying to get the job done.”

Miller continues doing so in fabulous fashion.

Isabelle Engel of Jersey Shore celebrates getting a second inning strike out against Warrior Run with Jaymison Stellfox (40) at Warrior Run High School Friday afternoon. Shore won, 13-7. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

Inclement weather kept Jersey Shore off the field for two weeks but it has thundered out of the gates since returning, scoring 45 runs in four games the last three days. Everyone is hitting well, but Miller especially is dialed in, going 9 for 11 while hitting for the cycle during that stretch. She also has scored nine runs, while driving in nine.

The junior leader can hit for contact, smash the ball and run like a deer, in addition to playing excellent defense. On a team filled with talented players, Miller lights the fuse.

“I tell her all the time, she has to smile because the team feeds off it,” Jersey Shore coach Chris Lorson said. “Hopefully the younger girls can look up to her and learn from her and keep getting better as well.”

Miller wasted no time energizing Jersey Shore Friday, opening the game with a two-strike single. That ignited a three-run rally and her second inning single was part of a four-run burst as Jersey Shore built a 7-0 lead. An inning later, Miller belted a one-out triple before scoring on Lynna Clark’s perfectly placed bunt. Next, she hit another single as part of a three-run fourth inning which gave the Bulldogs an 11-2 advantage.

Miller closed her day with a five-pitch walk in the sixth inning and has reached base in eight of nine plate appearances the past two games.

Dani Miller (5) of Jersey Shore slides safely across home plate scoring in the 2nd inning against Warrior Run at Warrior Run High School Friday afternoon. Shore won, 13-7. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

“I think it gets the energy set. We thrive when we have someone get on base leading off,” Miller said. “I like being that person that gets it going.”

“I couldn’t ask for anyone better to lead off,” Lorson said. “She’s seeing the ball well, hitting the ball hard and getting on base.”

Schall experienced a similar feeling against Warrior Run, producing two RBIs, reaching base four times and adding a sacrifice fly after a Kalyssa Johns RBI single. The sophomore worked her way into the starting lineup last season and is making sure the bottom of the order stays as strong as the top.

Schall hit an RBI single in the second inning before being a part of fourth and sixth inning rallies when she singled again and then drew a walk in her final plate appearance.

“I started off a little slow but I feel like I’ve gotten into a little bit of a groove. I’m feeling a little more comfortable when I’m up to bat,” Schall said. “I feel like I have more confidence this year. There’s a little more chemistry with the girls.”

Warrior Run celebrate a home run by Lakesha Hauck during the 5th inning at Warrior Run High School Friday afternoon. Shore won, 13-7. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

That chemistry was evident again as Jersey Shore remained confident after Warrior Run stormed back and scored five fifth inning runs while cutting the deficit to 11-7. Isabelle Engel allowed just one more hit and struck out six and was one of five players who collected multiple hits, joining Jaymison Stellfox and Alexis Frey who all had two, along with RBIs. Warrior Run scored its runs in the second and fifth innings, but in the other five, Engel allowed just one hit.

Jersey Shore scored in all but one inning. Makayla Wrench came off the bench to immediately fuel a rally following the big Warrior Run inning by hustling to beat out an infield single. Isabell Carrasquillo scored her with an RBI grounder and Wrench was one of nine players who delivered at least one hit.

“I feel like everyone just ran into each other and one influenced the other,” Schall said. “We’re always picking each other up. If one is having a bad day, the other ones will pick her up.”

Miller worked a full count and fouled off a two-strike pitch in her first at-bat before lacing a single. Jersey Shore hitters continued building on that model from there. It was not about letting pitches go by, but finding the right ones. Time after time batters found them and Jersey Shore generated 11 hits in the first four innings, while seeing 103 pitches.

“I told them on the bus ride here that patience was the word of the day,” Lorson said. “We tell them all that hits are contagious. Everyone feeds off hitting. If everyone can go up and see pitches and pick out their pitch and drive it, good things will happen.”

A hit by Danielle Miller of Jersey Shore drops in front of the Warrior Run defense for a hit in the fourth inning at Warrior Run High School Friday afternoon. Shore won, 13-7. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

Warrior Run produced its share of positives in defeat and never backed down after falling behind 7-0 and 11-2. Exciting freshman Sienna Wise tattooed a second-inning home run before fellow freshman Skye Reigle smacked a two-out RBI single.

Reigle (2 for 3) then sparked the five-run flurry with a lead-off single before Wise (2 for 4) capped it with an RBI double. Maura Woland also roped an RBI double before Lakesha Hauck tattooed a three-run home run over the left field fence.

That was the second home run in as many innings. Clark gave Jersey Shore a nine-run advantage in the fourth when she walloped a three-run blast down the left field line. It was the extension of momentum which has been building throughout these last three days.

Not playing the previous two weeks was frustrating but Jersey Shore did not grow discouraged. It appears it only grew more determined and has unleashed all that pent up rage onto the field.

Talk about making the most of a frustrating situation.

Lynna Clark of Jersey Shore drops down a bunt against Warrior Run that scores a run in the 3rd inning at Warrior Run High School Friday afternoon. Shore won, 13-7. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

“It wasn’t every fun but we just kept working at practice and making sure we focused on getting better every day,” Miller said. “We say that our focus is on getting one percent better every day and making sure we’re not slacking off.”

Jersey Shore 13, Warrior Run 7

Jersey Shore 341 301 1–13 17 1

Warrior Run 020 050 0–7 10 2

Isabelle Engel and Annika Clark. Mackenzie Litchard, Mackenzie Heyler (5) and McKenna Forman. W–Engel (4-1). L–Litchard.

Top Jersey Shore hitters: Dani Miller 4-4, 3B, BB, 3 runs; Kylie Schall 3-3, BB, 2 RBIs, run; Engel 2-5, 2B, RBI; Jaymison Stellfox 2-5, RBI, run; Alexis Frey 2-5, RBI, run; 1-5, HR, 3 RBIs; Lynna Clark 1-4, 2B, 2 RBIs, 2 runs; Kalyssa Johns 1-1, RBI; A. Clark 1-5, HR, 3 RBIs; Makayla Wrench 1-4, R. Top Warrior Run hitters: Sienna Wise 2-4, HR, 2B, 2 RBIs; Skye Reigle 2-3, RBI, run; Ella Printzenhoff 2-4, run; Lakesha Hauck 1-4, HR, 3 RBIs; Maura Woland 1-4, 2B, RBI, run; Mya Evans 1-3, run; Millie Gelnett 1-3, run.

Records: Jersey Shore (6-1), Warrior Run (4-5).

Jaymison Stellfox of Jersey Shore pulls in a pop fly hit by Lakesha Hauck of Warrior Run for an out during the third inning at Warrior Run High School Friday afternoon. Shore won, 13-7. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

Mackenzie Litchard of Warrior Run pitches to Jersey Shore in the first innning at Warrior Run High School Friday afternoon. Shore won, 13-7. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

Isabelle Engel of Jersey Shore pitches to Warrior Run during the 7th inning at Warrior Run High School Friday afternoon. Shore won, 13-7. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

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