By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com
MORTONS GAP -- While Hopkins County Central softball pitchers Ali Austin and Taylor Crawley tried to keep Ohio County going down one, two, three, it was the Lady Storm's six, seven, eight hitters who broke the game open offensively.
The three hitters -- Hannah Tow, Jordan McNary and McKenzie Taylor -- combined for eight RBIs as Central (6-5) scored in each frame of a 16-1 three-inning, run-rule shortened contest against the Lady Eagles (1-2).
"It was good because Ohio County has a good team, we just caught them today," coach Jesse Huff said. "It's like their coach said, this is the flattest he's seen them play. We were ready."
The Lady Storm collected just seven hits, but made the most of each opportunity and took advantage of nine walks and three errors.
"We're getting more disciplined at the plate, being a little more selective and knowing if you're ahead in the count, you have to be smart," Huff said. "The pitchers we have around here are smart and can make you pay for something if you don't stay on top of your game at the plate."
Central began its offensive outburst with six runs in the first inning. Alexis Curneal and Ali Austin started the scoring with an RBI single and RBI walk respectively. Later, Tow provided a bases-loaded triple to right field to raise the Lady Storm advantage to 5-0. Tow then scored on a wild pitch with McNary at the plate.
Curneal and Austin scored two more in the second with a pair of RBI singles. Tow plated one by grounding the ball to second and reaching via error. Then, McNary hit a sacrifice fly and Taylor had an RBI ground out. Crawley smacked the big hit of the inning with a two-run double to center field and the Lady Storm led 13-1 after two full innings.
The three hitters -- Hannah Tow, Jordan McNary and McKenzie Taylor -- combined for eight RBIs as Central (6-5) scored in each frame of a 16-1 three-inning, run-rule shortened contest against the Lady Eagles (1-2).
"It was good because Ohio County has a good team, we just caught them today," coach Jesse Huff said. "It's like their coach said, this is the flattest he's seen them play. We were ready."
The Lady Storm collected just seven hits, but made the most of each opportunity and took advantage of nine walks and three errors.
"We're getting more disciplined at the plate, being a little more selective and knowing if you're ahead in the count, you have to be smart," Huff said. "The pitchers we have around here are smart and can make you pay for something if you don't stay on top of your game at the plate."
Central began its offensive outburst with six runs in the first inning. Alexis Curneal and Ali Austin started the scoring with an RBI single and RBI walk respectively. Later, Tow provided a bases-loaded triple to right field to raise the Lady Storm advantage to 5-0. Tow then scored on a wild pitch with McNary at the plate.
Curneal and Austin scored two more in the second with a pair of RBI singles. Tow plated one by grounding the ball to second and reaching via error. Then, McNary hit a sacrifice fly and Taylor had an RBI ground out. Crawley smacked the big hit of the inning with a two-run double to center field and the Lady Storm led 13-1 after two full innings.
In the third, Tow and Taylor ended the game with three more runs. Tow knocked in one on a fielder's choice and Taylor ripped a two-run triple to finish the contest in walk-off fashion, 16-1.
On the mound, Austin allowed one run on three hits and struck out two to earn her sixth victory of the season. Crawley struck out all three batters she faced in relief.
"(Crawley) came on and she looked sharp," Huff said. "She looked good today. I thought she was looking real well.
"I was real impressed. She had one of her better outings."
Huff said he wouldn't give up Crawley's secret out pitch, which she used in great success on Monday, with a game against rival Madisonville-North Hopkins today. Central will host the Lady Maroons at 5 p.m.
Ohio Co. (1-2) 010 -- 1 3 3
Central (6-5) 673 -- 16 7 0
WP: Ali Austin (6-2). LP: Melissa Gaither
On the mound, Austin allowed one run on three hits and struck out two to earn her sixth victory of the season. Crawley struck out all three batters she faced in relief.
"(Crawley) came on and she looked sharp," Huff said. "She looked good today. I thought she was looking real well.
"I was real impressed. She had one of her better outings."
Huff said he wouldn't give up Crawley's secret out pitch, which she used in great success on Monday, with a game against rival Madisonville-North Hopkins today. Central will host the Lady Maroons at 5 p.m.
Ohio Co. (1-2) 010 -- 1 3 3
Central (6-5) 673 -- 16 7 0
WP: Ali Austin (6-2). LP: Melissa Gaither
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