Softball recap (March 16): OHS, AHS, OCHS, THS

March 17, 2023 | 12:05 am

Updated March 16, 2023 | 9:13 pm

The Lady Devils, E-gals and Lady Raiders were unable to muster up enough offense in their respective losses on Thursday, while the Lady Aces stayed hot with their second straight win to start the season.

Owensboro vs Grayson County

The Lady Devils comeback attempt fell just short on Thursday, as a late home run for Grayson County pushed them to a 6-5 win on the road.

The Lady Cougars struck first, getting a run off an Owensboro error and scoring on an RBI groundout two at-bats later to take a 2-0 lead after the top of the first. The Lady Devils responded swiftly though, as sophomore Addison Hill delivered a leadoff home run and an error by Grayson County led to a run as well to even things right back up at 2-2 after one.

The Lady Cougars kept their foot on the gas though, as a two-out two-run single from junior Kayla Tubb put them back out in front 4-2 in the top of the second. Owensboro continued to chip away though, getting a run over the course of the next three innings to take a 5-4 lead into the sixth. 

Grayson County got the last laugh after a scoreless sixth though, as a leadoff single from Tubb led to a two-run homer to center field from senior Shelby Davis gave them a 6-5 lead in the top of the seventh. This would be all the Lady Cougars would need as well, as the Lady Devils were only able to get one hit in the bottom half of the inning and ultimately lost 6-5.

Senior K’Asia Palmer got the start for Owensboro, allowing two earned runs—four total—on three hits while walking three and striking out one in three innings. Sophomore Kirsten Tindle followed, allowing two earned runs on four hits while walking two and striking out one in four innings.

Hill led the way with a 3-4 day at the plate and one RBI, while sophomore Ellington Embry, junior Ashleigh Howard and freshman Reese Boswell all added one as well. The Lady Devils lose by one in their second straight game to start the season, as they’ll look to get over the hump on Friday against Breckinridge County at 5:30 p.m.

Apollo vs Hancock County

The E-gals couldn’t muster up enough offense on Thursday, as a late surge from Hancock County led them to a 6-2 win at home.

A throwing error allowed Hancock County to get the first run of the night in the bottom of the first, but later Apollo capitalized on an error themselves with an RBI double from senior Morgan Frizzell to knot things up at 1-1 after four. A quick two-out rally gave the E-gals their first lead of the game in the top of the fifth as well, with a single from junior Mallory Velotta leading to an RBI double from senior Morgan Julian to make it 2-1. But three walks, a pair of singles and a pair of fielder’s choices gave the Lady Hornets a five-run bottom of the fifth, helping them eventually earn a 6-2 win.

Senior Emmie Bullington had the first five innings of the game, allowing five earned runs on four hits, while walking four and striking out three. Freshman Taylor Clark handled the final inning, allowing one hit while walking one and striking out one.

Julian and Frizzell led the way with an RBI each, as Apollo now sits at 0-2 to start the 2023 campaign. The E-gals now have some time off to prepare for a big game, as they have the regular season district opener on March 22, against Owensboro Catholic at home at 5:30 p.m.

Owensboro Catholic vs Union County 

The Lady Aces got ahead early and never looked back, getting five runs in the last two innings of the night to secure the 7-2 road win over Union County.

Owensboro Catholic struck first, taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the third thanks to a two-run shot to center field by senior first baseman Bailey Hamilton. Her sister Brooke was dealing in the circle as well, holding the Bravettes scoreless through five. 

Her fellow Lady Aces returned the favor with four more runs in the top of the sixth, but Union County kept fighting and got a two-out two-run home run to right from sophomore Sydney Thomas to cut it to 6-2 going into the seventh. It was too little too late for the Bravettes though, as sophomore third baseman Tyranda Stuart homered in the top of the seventh and Brooke proceeded to shut the door on a 7-2 win for Owensboro Catholic.

Brooke finished with a complete-game performance, allowing two earned runs on five hits, while walking two and striking out 13. Senior Lilli Grant led the way at the plate with a 3-4 day and a team-leading two RBIs, while Bailey, Stuart, eighth grader Maren Riney and junior Maci Merritt all chipped in one RBI each.

The Lady Aces sit at 2-0 overall to start the season with the win, as they look to grab a third straight road win on Saturday when they take on Muhlenberg County at 10  a.m.

Trinity (Whitesville) vs Muhlenberg County

Struggles defensively were the Lady Raiders’ Achilles heel on Thursday, as six errors cost them in a 10-3 loss to Muhlenberg County at home.

The Lady Mustangs got on the board first, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the first thanks to a sacrifice fly. Trinity (Whitesville) was able to take advantage of some Muhlenberg County blunders in the bottom of the third though, scoring two runs on two errors to take a 2-1 lead.

But the Lady Mustangs quickly swung momentum back their way in the top of the fifth, as an error led to a run and then a grand slam from senior Josie Davis to take a 6-2 lead. The Lady Raiders were never able to pull back within reach either as Muhlenberg County scored four more runs over the next two innings, while scoring just one in the seventh to ultimately fall 10-3.

Senior Allie Barnett tossed the first five innings for the Lady Raiders, allowing one earned run—eight total—on five hits while walking one and striking out one. Senior Allie Graham handled the last two innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits and walking one.

Sophomore Sarah Payne and seventh grader Sophie Hatfield led the way at the plate, chipping in the lone RBIs of the game. Trinity now sits at 1-2 to start the season, as they will look to turn things around in a road matchup with Grayson County at 6 p.m. on Friday.

March 17, 2023 | 12:05 am

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