POPLAR RIDGE - Even with minimal hitting, the Southern Cayuga softball team has the ability to keep games close.

In an IAC defensive battle on Wednesday, Union Springs' Abby Cook was slightly better than Julie Hewitt in the pitcher's circle as the Wolves won 3-1.

Southern Cayuga was able to get just six hits off of Cook and half of them came in the sixth inning. The Wolves didn't fare much better against freshman Hewitt, getting just seven hits. Hewitt tossed six strikeouts and one walk, while Cook struck out 12 batters.

The Chiefs scored their lone run in the bottom of the sixth inning when Molly Osterhoudt stole home on an errant pitch. After Julie Hewitt and the Chiefs defense retired the Wolves batters in order in the top of the seventh, the Chiefs bench put their rally caps on as they stepped up to the plate. Their hopes of a comeback quickly dissipated as Cook struck out three straight batters to earn the win.

“We just couldn't hit the ball today, and softball is a hitting game so that is a eigh Hess said. “Two defensive errors also didn't help and against a team like Union Springs, you can't have any and they were able to capitalize on them.”

The Wolves had several errors themselves, and one came early in the game when a fly ball dropped in between Jessica Kneaskern at shortstop and Jaimi Jones at first base. Coach Bob Arliss said a lack of communication was a big part of the problem for Union Springs.

“We had too many errors in the field and in the base paths,” Arliss said. “We have to work on tightening up those errors in close games like this. One or two mistakes like that and it is going to cost us a game down the road.”

A few Wolves players played well on defense. Bethany Arliss put forth an errorless effort at second base, while Jones and Meg Sacco also played well at first base and right field, respectively.

In addition to Cook's impressive pitching performance, she led the team offensively, with two runs scored, a double and a stolen base. She and Kneaskern scored on a two-run single by Devon Bowen (two hits) in the fourth inning. Cook scored the Wolves' final run in the sixth after Jillian Thomas smacked an RBI single into center field. Lindsay Rice and Osterhoudt led the Chiefs with two hits each.

“Abby threw a ton of pitches today; this was really a battle at the plate,” Bob Arliss said. “They played really good defense and we were just lucky to get out of here with this win. Southern Cayuga is a tough team. They always come ready to play. They give us a hard battle every single game.”

The 3-4 Chiefs hope to improve on their hitting when they head to Lansing on Friday. Union Springs (6-1) will face division rival Moravia for the second time this season at the Cayuga County Tournament on Saturday at Casey Park. The Blue Devils are the only team to defeat the Wolves this season, in a 1-0 showdown April 18.