By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com
Offense proved nearly as sparse as snowflakes during a western Kentucky summer in Friday evening's softball matchup between Madisonville-North Hopkins and Livingston Central.
Pitcher Kelly Herrenbruck carried a no-hitter into the final inning of play and both teams tallied a combined three hits as North (7-12) defeated Livingston (11-6) by a final score 2-0 in the Lady Maroon Invitational.
Herrenbruck, who typically plays outfield, tossed her second complete game in as many days and stifled the opposition by not allowing a hit until the seventh. After pitchers Kyleigh Taylor and Katlyn Daniel went down with injuries, Herrenbruck has been clutch as the new go-to arm.
"She's not used to pitching and I told her at the beginning of the year if she came in to pitch, it would be on an emergency basis - and it's an emergency basis," coach Kacie Jackson said. "She's really stepped up and we couldn't ask for more."
Leadoff hitter Hannah Cates recorded North's only two hits of the game and knocked a single in the first to begin the contest. Cates reached second on a passed ball, third on a wild pitch and then safely touched home in a run down.
Lady Cardinals pitcher Mariah Owen sailed a pitch past the catcher and Cates broke toward home, but decided to go back. The Livingston catcher threw to the third baseman, but Cates changed direction toward home and eventually scored.
The Lady Maroons managed just one other baserunner until the sixth. That's when Morgan Hestand reached second to start the inning after a two-base error by the centerfielder. Next up, Kaci Rainwater dropped a bunt to the pitcher. Owen made an errant throw to first and Hestand scored from second.
Pitcher Kelly Herrenbruck carried a no-hitter into the final inning of play and both teams tallied a combined three hits as North (7-12) defeated Livingston (11-6) by a final score 2-0 in the Lady Maroon Invitational.
Herrenbruck, who typically plays outfield, tossed her second complete game in as many days and stifled the opposition by not allowing a hit until the seventh. After pitchers Kyleigh Taylor and Katlyn Daniel went down with injuries, Herrenbruck has been clutch as the new go-to arm.
"She's not used to pitching and I told her at the beginning of the year if she came in to pitch, it would be on an emergency basis - and it's an emergency basis," coach Kacie Jackson said. "She's really stepped up and we couldn't ask for more."
Leadoff hitter Hannah Cates recorded North's only two hits of the game and knocked a single in the first to begin the contest. Cates reached second on a passed ball, third on a wild pitch and then safely touched home in a run down.
Lady Cardinals pitcher Mariah Owen sailed a pitch past the catcher and Cates broke toward home, but decided to go back. The Livingston catcher threw to the third baseman, but Cates changed direction toward home and eventually scored.
The Lady Maroons managed just one other baserunner until the sixth. That's when Morgan Hestand reached second to start the inning after a two-base error by the centerfielder. Next up, Kaci Rainwater dropped a bunt to the pitcher. Owen made an errant throw to first and Hestand scored from second.
Meanwhile, Herrenbruck came within three outs of a no-hitter. Livingston's Courtney Walker ended the bid on a 1-0 pitch to start the seventh. An outfield assist, fielder's choice and pop up all in succession ended the game resulting in a North win.
Defense played a large role in Herrenbruck's performance with Hestand and Cates making several spectacular plays at third and shortstop respectively.
"I was so proud of them," Herrenbruck said of the defensive duo. "They picked up the intensity and did their job."
Fifteen of the recorded 21 outs involved either Hestand or Cates, including nine in a row at one point. Herrenbruck walked one batter in the second and then retired the next 15 batters consecutively.
"I felt pretty confident," Herrenbruck said after the game. "We were doing a good job tonight. Me and my catcher (Caitlin Todd) were working really well. We were communicating and things were going great."
Offensively, Cates went 2-for-3 and scored a run. Hestand scored the other run. Herrenbruck reached on a walk.
For the Lady Cardinals, Owen tossed six innings and struck out eight.
North played Lyon County in a game scheduled to start at approximately 8:15 p.m. Friday, but results were not availible as of press time.
Livingston (11-6) 000 000 0 - 0 2 2
North (7-12) 100 001 X - 2 2 1
WP: Kelly Herrenbruck
LP: Mariah Owen
Defense played a large role in Herrenbruck's performance with Hestand and Cates making several spectacular plays at third and shortstop respectively.
"I was so proud of them," Herrenbruck said of the defensive duo. "They picked up the intensity and did their job."
Fifteen of the recorded 21 outs involved either Hestand or Cates, including nine in a row at one point. Herrenbruck walked one batter in the second and then retired the next 15 batters consecutively.
"I felt pretty confident," Herrenbruck said after the game. "We were doing a good job tonight. Me and my catcher (Caitlin Todd) were working really well. We were communicating and things were going great."
Offensively, Cates went 2-for-3 and scored a run. Hestand scored the other run. Herrenbruck reached on a walk.
For the Lady Cardinals, Owen tossed six innings and struck out eight.
North played Lyon County in a game scheduled to start at approximately 8:15 p.m. Friday, but results were not availible as of press time.
Livingston (11-6) 000 000 0 - 0 2 2
North (7-12) 100 001 X - 2 2 1
WP: Kelly Herrenbruck
LP: Mariah Owen
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