Big inning powers Jackson past Lady Mules

Jackson's Jaylie Walther is congratulated by her teammates after crushing a three-run homer during Tuesday's softball game against Poplar Bluff at Strenfel Field. The game was moved to Poplar Bluff because of wet field conditions at Jackson.

DAR/Mike Buhler

A change of scenery was not enough to lift the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules softball team past the Jackson Indians on Tuesday.

Playing at Strenfel Field since the Jackson field was too wet to play on, the Lady Mules managed just two hits and fell victim to a nine-run, three-home run third inning on the way to a 13-0 loss.

The game was scoreless after two innings, but the Indians' offense came alive in a big way in the top of the third.

Joselyn Sauerbrunn drew a two-out walk and moved to second when pitcher Ashlyn Dawes singled. Miley Conklin then doubled them home for the first runs of the game — then Kimmora Carothers crushed a two-run homer over the centerfield fence to make it 4-0 and open the floodgates.

Madalyn Sterling then followed that up with a solo home run over the centerfield fence to make it 5-0, then Bella Rose singled home Riley Monighan to make it 6-0. Jaylie Walther then crushed a three-run homer to make it 9-0 and cap the rally.

Trailing 11-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning, Elizabeth Blancett and Molly Eason both singled for Poplar Bluff, but Dawes pitched out of the jam and did not allow another baserunner the rest of the way.

Sterling, Dawes and Walther each had two hits for the Indians, while Walter drove in three runs and the duo of Conklin and Carothers drove in two apiece.

The Lady Mules (5-7) are slated to head to East Carter on Thursday, while Jackson (15-7) is scheduled to host Notre Dame on Thursday.