LACROSSE | Ashley Hines looked forward to another at-bat Tuesday, but the Washington Township junior second baseman was more interested in something else.
Hines was on deck when teammate Kacie Corley ended the game with a fifth-inning RBI single, giving the Senators a 11-1, 10-run-rule victory over host LaCrosse in a Class A sectional semifinal.
The Senators (11-9) will meet Kouts at 4:30 p.m. Thursday for the championship. A victory would give the program its first title.
Hines was 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles, two runs scored and an RBI.
"I was pretty excited (to get another at-bat)," Hines said. "I'd definitely rather have the win."
Hines keyed the offense for the Senators (11-9). She sent one pitch down the left field line for an RBI double in the first inning to give Washington Township a 1-0 lead. She drove a ball to the bottom of the left field fence to lead off a two-run third.
In a 9-4 win against the Tigers on April 18, Hines was 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored.
"I did have a good game against them before. I tried to carry that on," Hines said. "I had some confidence going in, and I felt even better after that first at-bat."
Liz Lustgarten stymied LaCrosse's offense, allowing just a run on three hits with eight strikeouts.
"Liz struggled at the start (of the season)," Washington Township coach Jack Corley said. "She's starting to come around now, and that's when you want it."
Corley was dismayed with his team's concentration level at times during the game, as a pair of runners were thrown out at third base in the fourth.
"I didn't think we were at the top of of our game," Corley said. "I don't like that going into Thursday.
"We've got to keep the team up."
The Tigers (4-19) struggled even more, mainly on defense. LaCrosse committed four errors, leading to three unearned runs. The pitching staff also gave up nine walks, including four in a six-run fifth.
"We underachieved a little bit this season," LaCrosse coach Dave Amor said. "Our hitting wasn't there (Tuesday). Pitching has been an issue (all season).
"We have to work on some things."
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