STORY BY ROB KISER - PIQUA DAILY CALL
Piqua softball coach Rick Claprood knows the two-game stretch his team just went through will only make them better.

After losing to Miamisburg in 10 innings Wednesday, St. Marys, a Division II state runnerup last year, beat the Indians 6-0 Thursday.

“This is going to help us to play teams like Miamisburg and St. Marys,” Claprood said. “There is no question St. Marys is a real solid team.”

And the score is a little deceiving.

Piqua trailed just 2-0, before St. Marys scored four unearned runs in the seventh inning.

“We made three errors in the seventh inning,” Claprood said. “You just can’t make those kind of mistakes against a team like St. Marys.”

Jessica Wilhelm doubled and Kat Nicodemus singled for Piqua.

“I would have liked for us to lay off their pitcher’s riseball,” Claprood said. “We didn’t do a very good job at the plate. We practiced about an hour after the game, all defense and we will work on our hitting tomorrow.”

Tina Byrd pitched a six-hitter, striking out two and walking two.

The Lady Indians are currently without Miranda Baker, who rolled her ankle against Miamisburg.

“She will be out until at least next week,” Claprood said. “She is one of our better players, so that hurt us. But, we have eight or nine other girls.”

Piqua is scheduled to play at 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday in the Greenville Invitational.

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