Marriotts Ridge's Ashley Kellner tripled to drive in two runs and break open a tight game as the Mustangs beat Wilde Lake, 10-5.

Kellner's three-bagger -- her first of the season -- came during a show of power for the Mustangs, who sent 10 batters to the plate in the five-run, fifth inning to win their sixth county game in 13 outings.

Kelsey Fuller doubled in a run in the inning, and Marissa Graydon, Megan Lucas and Denise Mitchell all singled to keep runners on the base paths.

The Mustangs had scored twice in the first but Wilde Lake's leadoff hitter Christina Neidlinger got an inside-the-park home run to cut Marriotts Ridge's early lead in half.

"I really wanted to start something and get us going," said Neidlinger, "and I wanted to just crush the ball."

Neidlinger opened the third inning with a triple, and, along with Kristina Jackson, scored on Chelsea Corriveau's triple.

But when Neidlinger came to the plate with two runs already in and the bases loaded in the fourth, Marriotts Ridge pitcher Nicole Simon didn't let her do any more damage.

"Don't give her anything good to hit," Mustang coach Jodi Robinson told her pitcher, so Neidlinger was walked, forcing in a run. That was the last run for Wilde Lake.

Marriotts Ridge's big inning proved to be too much for the Wildecats, who have won just two county games this spring.

Big innings have been Wilde Lake's bane this season, Corriveau said, who was thrown out at home trying to stretch her third-inning triple into a four-bagger. "I feel all of our games have been so close but we give up one big inning. Our record doesn't show the skill and potential this team has."

E-mail Karen Brelsford at howardcountysports@patuxent.com.

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