CRESTVIEW — Taylor Rolison’s sensational junior campaign continued for Crestview High School’s softball team Thursday as the Bulldogs hosted Assumption, Kent.
Rolison threw a seven-hitter and struck out 14 Rocket batters, but it wasn’t enough as Assumption took a 1-0 win.
Crestview-Assumption softball photos>>>
With her 14 strikeouts Rolison upped her total to 260 on the season. The 260 strikeouts tied Rolison for the most in the country on the MaxPreps.com website.
“This is our third game in a row this week so the girls are tired,” Bulldog Coach Holly Gibson said. “But this was a tough loss. If the hits would fall it might have been different.
“We are hitting it, but we are hitting it right at people. They are going to fall, but I’d prefer them fall in Tuesday (in the district tournament) against Tate."
The Rockets scored the only run of the game in the first inning when they were able to connect on three early hits off Rolison.
With one out Cassidy Janes singled to left field.
Crestview fans had a big scare when a line drive off the bat of Sabrina Fussenegger slammed into Rolison’s shins sending her crumbling to the ground in tears in the pitcher circle.
A hush was over the field as coaches from both teams and the trainer rushed to Rolison’s aid. Rolison was back on her feet a few minutes later. After taking a few practice pitches she was good to go.
Rolison seemed none the worse for the scare when she struck out Maddie Sweeney for the second out of the inning. Kelly Wheeler was next and singled to score Janes.
The rest of the game was a pitching battle between Rolison and Fussenegger.
The Bulldog defense was outstanding in turning away Rocket threats.
Right fielder Taylor Bumgardner turned in Crestview’s first defensive gem in the third inning when she caught a Fussenegger fly ball for a put out and then fired a strike to third base to throw out Jordan Ridge for a double play.
Fussenegger continued to be in the middle of the big moments of the game in the sixth inning when she led off the inning with a triple. Two batters later Rolison threw her out at home on a failed Rocket squeeze play.
Crestview batters had few problems with putting the ball in play against Fussenegger as only five Bulldogs struck out. Getting hits to fall was another story.
Crestview (12-11) managed just three hits and a pair of walks against Fussenegger. Taylor Henderson had two hits for the Bulldogs. Kylee Kimmons had Crestview’s other hit.
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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Rolison shines in Bulldog loss (PHOTOS, VIDEO)