From her own dugout, Meghan Ramage felt compassion for the opposition.
Specifically, the Grand Forks Red River High School pitcher was feeling for the control problems of her Grand Forks Central fastpitch softball counterparts.
“It’s always hard to see any pitcher struggle with control,’’ Ramage said. “You know it’s never fun. I’ve had games like that. It’s very frustrating.’’
Central pitchers allowed 16 bases on balls in the opening game of Thursday’s doubleheader, a big factor in the Roughriders’ 13-2 win. In the nightcap, Red River won 16-6 in a non-conference game.
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Of those 16 walks the Knights allowed, seven of the baserunners went on to score. Another walk accounted for a run batted in, as the bases were loaded.
“In our last two games, our pitchers had really good control,’’ said Central coach Darin Schumacher, whose team had allowed just one walk total in its previous two games. “But I think the pressure (of an intracity rivalry game) got to them.
“But we lost control of the strike zone today and it showed. And on defense, it makes it hard to make a play when you’re just standing out there and your pitchers aren’t throwing strikes.’’
Red River scored an unearned run in the first and added three runs in the second. The Roughriders broke the game open with a six-run third, in which the lone hit was Ramage’s two-run double off the fence in straight-away center field. Red River took advantage of seven walks and an error in the big inning.
Red River finished with only a 6-4 advantage in hits, with Sam Johnson getting two for the Knights.
When an opposing pitcher is struggling with control “it’s frustrating for the hitters,’’ Riders coach Brooke Larson said. “Our girls like to swing the bat. We have a lot of decent hitters. They just have to be patient.’’
Ramage walked only four batters while the right-hander struck out seven.
“She’s been phenomenal,’’ Larson said. “She throws different speeds and she has several pitches. She gets movement on her pitches and throws strikes.’’
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Ramage had two hits and two RBI in the opener, then broke loose with a 4-for-5 showing in the second game, including a bases-loaded home run. Gabbie Nuelle also had four hits as Red River totaled 15. Megan Haas and Jessica Marynik each had a pair of hits.
