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Lady Hornets buzz by Ladycats 15-5
HOLCOMB, Mo. - Despite nasty weather that threatened to turn the normally dusty infield swampy, an experienced Lady Hornets softball squad (13-1) led a young Delta High School Ladycats team (2-7) to school at home Wednesday 15-5.
Holcomb's Lemings sisters, senior Maleigh and sophomore Ella Jane, were responsible for solid hits that drove in a number of RBIs.
Maleigh Lemings grounded out with one on in the first inning and drove that runner home to account for the first run while Ella Jane Lemings doubled in the third and drove in one run.
Although senior Jules Gurley led the Holcomb team in hits, it was the Lady Hornets' senior DP Jasmine White's four runs on two hits and her fifth-inning triple that opened the score for the Lady Hornets and closed the softball primer for the Ladycats.
“My personal game wasn't at its best today,” White said. “I just did what I could to help the team.
“I had three or four RBIs,” she added. “I don't know my batting average. I don't keep count. I'm just here to help my team.”
Delta head coach Jenny Estes, in her debut season leading the Ladycats, said what her team might lack in experience is outweighed by her players' commitment.
“We started a team with girls who have never played their positions before,” Estes said postgame. “We wanted to come down and play, have a good time and stay positive.”
Those sentiments were shared by Holcomb head coach Matt Casper, who noted Wednesday's rain that fell from the top of the third inning throughout the remainder of the game played a role in a somewhat relaxed contest.
“I think both teams played really well under the circumstances,” Casper said. “I mean, we could have played better and the girls would be the first to admit that.
“Games like today are gonna happen over the course of a season,” he added. “I think everyone came to play, and everyone accomplished that.”
Although the Lady Hornets dominated the game, the Ladycats' offense woke in the fourth inning and gave the Lady Hornets momentary fits.
“It takes us a while,” Estes said. “I'm gonna tell you, our bats are not a problem.”
Indeed. Freshman Cheyenne Welker, sophomores Lillian Boitnott and Grace Ancell, and junior Emma Walter all drove in RBIs. Senior Maya Gillespie led the Ladycats in hits, going two-for-three.
“We have a good group here,” Estes noted. “We have a young bunch.
“We have only three seniors out there right now,” she continued. “The girls are very positive. I can ask them to do anything and they'll go out there and do it for me. We're all learning. We knew coming down today Holcomb would have a great pitcher and a great defense to back her up. Their bats were on fire today. They had some good solid hits.”
The flamethrower on Holcomb's mound Wednesday was sophomore pitcher Ava Gurley. The ace hurler stayed five innings, allowed five runs - three earned - on six hits, walked two batters and struck out one to post the W for Holcomb.
The Ladycats' junior pitcher Jolie Scherer was in four innings, gave up 15 runs – 13 earned – on 13 hits, and walked nine batters Wednesday.
Casper said Delta historically fields competitive teams. He added that although his players made the game look easy and the score was lopsided, it wasn't the walk in the park some might have thought.
“We honestly did not know what to expect from them,” Casper said. “We knew they had some decent teams in the past.
“But we don't take anything for granted,” the coach continued. “We knew it wouldn't be an easy game. We definitely didn't play our best today. Our energy level was not great. We have one starter out. In a season, you're gonna have games where the team really isn't into it. I thought we relaxed a little too much. We'll fix that and hopefully our energy will be better the rest of this week.”
Senior shortstop Maleigh Lemings admitted postgame that Wednesday's outing wasn't her best, and that she expects to improve on that in coming days.
“I didn't do very good today,” Maleigh said. “I got walked twice.
“I had a little blooper hit,” she added. “Gloomy weather, gloomy energy. Once the ground was wet the ball's action was just weird. The balls would drop and stop. No bounce. Or drop and roll slowly away. Thursday's game against Cooter is a conference district game. So there's a little more pressure. I think we'll be okay.”
Senior third baseman Kaetlyn Danley echoed Maleigh Leming's words.
“I went four-for-four today, so that was good,” Danley said. “One was a pop-up and I probably should have been out.
“But the fielder missed the catch, so that worked out accidentally,” she added. “The rain really didn't impact my game. But it did affect the outfield and pitching. The ball was wet, the weather was an issue and I know we all could have played better. And we will.”
More rain was forecasted for Thursday with the chance of clouds clearing off by the afternoon. Wind gusts are expected that might play havoc with Holcomb's away game against Cooter (1-6) at 4:30 p.m.
The Ladycats are slated to play away at the Oak Ridge Tournament Thursday through Saturday.