FRUITPORT – The Fruitport softball team knew it faced a big test on Tuesday, playing powerful Reeths-Puffer.

Afterward, the Trojans realized they still have some work to do following a tough 14-1 loss to the Rockets in non-conference action.

“I described it as a prize fight,” said Fruitport head coach Bob Dorman about the early-season showdown between two good teams. “They came out and punched us right in the face. We just let them continue to punch us. We didn’t respond, and if anything we responded in a negative way, and that wasn’t what we wanted to do.”

Fruitport’s Kalli Tawney fields a grounder. Photo/Angela Rusnak

R-P’s Brook Buchan wasted no time giving the Rockets a 2-0 lead when she hit a two-run double in the top of the first.

Later in the inning, R-P’s Mady Snyder had an RBI groundout to extend the led to 3-0.

In the second inning, R-P’s Abbie Critchett hit a two-run home run to center field to make the score 5-0, then Madison Reichert added an RBI single, giving the Rockets a 6-0 lead.

Reeths-Puffer scored three more runs in the third inning when Caydence Rettinhouse was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Kyleigh Bilek and Tessa Ross each scored on wild pitches.

Brooklyn Russell takes a cut at a pitch. Photo/Angela Rusnak

While the Reeths-Puffer offense was hot, Snyder was absolutely dominant on the mound, striking out the first eight Trojan hitters.

“My hat’s off to her,” Dorman said about Snyder, who allowed one run on five hits while striking out 10. “She’s the best pitcher we’ve seen this year so far. She could throw whatever she wanted.”

In the fourth inning, Bilek had a two RBI single to extend the Reeths-Puffer lead to 10-0.

The Reeths-Puffer offensive effort was completed in the fifth inning when four runs crossed to make the score 14-0.

Maddy Prout hauls in a fly ball. Photo/Angela Rusnak

Fruitport scored in the bottom of the fifth inning on a RBI squeeze bunt by Maya Aldridge, but it wasn’t enough, and the game ended due to the 10-run mercy rule.

Fruitport was led by Aldridge, who finished with one hit and one RBI, while Kendall Lee had one hit and scored the team’s run.

The Trojans, now 8-3, will host Fremont in a doubleheader at home on Friday.

“We knew tonight would be a test,” Dorman said. “I wish we could have measured up a little better, but we’ll learn from it.”minith brandseddiestorage