By ROB HAMILTON
On Friday, Cardington traveled to Centerburg and won 12-1 behind a two-hitter by Makenna McClure. The offense was led by Samantha Brininger, who was 3-for-4 with three runs scored and a RBI, and Rylie Partlow, who also was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Both had a double, while Brininger added a triple. Allie Moore added two hits.
On Saturday, the Pirates hosted a doubleheader with Northridge. Savannah Chalfant got the win as the Pirates outscored the Vikings 10-0 in a game shortened to six innings due to the run rule. Chalfant pitched five innings and McClure finished the game. The offense was led by Whitt, who went 3-for-3 with three runs, two RBIs and a triple. Crum had three hits, while Chalfant had two hits and three RBIs.
The second game of the twinbill provided some offensive excitement. After a scoreless first inning, Northridge erupted for nine runs, relying on four walks, one hit-by-pitch, three infield singles, an error and two balls hit into the outfield. Down 9-0, the Pirates quickly made up that deficit.
Partlow and Moore hit consecutive singles to open the inning. After a Chalfant groundout moved those runners up, McClure hit a single to score both. Raelynn Counts entered as a courtesy runner and moved to second on a passed ball. Paige Clinger singled her to third and stole second base. Brininger singled both runners in, moved to second on a steal and scored on an error that allowed Crum to reach second base. She was knocked in on a single by Alyson Adams. After an out, Partlow walked and Moore scored both with a double. Chalfant then put the Pirates in front with a two-run home run.
They would not relinquish the lead and wound up ending the game early again via run rule. Moore was 3-for-3 with three runs scored and six RBIs. Adams and Clinger both were 4-of-5 and Brininger was 4-of-6. McClure added two hits and four RBIs and also picked up the win.
Northmor Knights
Northmor would jump out to a big early lead and never look back in topping Elgin 8-3 on Friday. The Knights scored four in the first and added one in the second and three in the third to take an 8-0 lead they would never relinquish.
Lilly earned the win. She struck out six, walked two and gave up five hits in going the distance. Aly Blunk had a double and two singles, while Lydia Farley added three singles. Cristiana Boggs had a double and single, Andrea Weis added two hits and Karlee Carroll finished with a double.
The Knights split a doubleheader with Big Walnut on Saturday, They lost the first game 8-0. Lilly took the loss, while Deanna Delaney pitched five shutout innings in relief. Northmor was held to one hit in the game.
In the second game, the Knights got revenge, taking a 7-6 decision. They fell behind 3-0 after the opening inning, but scored two in the third and five more in the fifth to jump out to the lead. While Big Walnut scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh, Northmor was able to hold on for the win.
Only one of BW’s six runs was earned, as Delaney scattered eight hits in the contest. Offensively, Carroll, Lily Tate and Weis all had two hits, with Carroll having a double. Kelsie Fike also nabbed a two-base hit.
Highland Scots
Highland cruised to an 11-0 win over Delaware Christian on Friday. Lucy Smith picked up the win, with Abby O’Bryant pitching in relief. Offensively, Parker Steck had a double and two singles; while Bridget Oder added a triple and single. Both Kaitlyn Carney and O’Bryant finished with two hits.
The team then split a doubleheader on Saturday against Utica. They won the first game 8-4 in nine innings. Highland led 4-0 after four, but gave up three in the sixth and one in the seventh to send the game to extras, but would put four runs up in the ninth to earn the win.
O’Bryant picked up the win in relief of Smith. They combined to strike out six and walk the same number. Katie Coffee had four hits, while Oder, Parker Steck and Harlee Steck all had three. Oder had a home run and double among her three. Also, Carney and Allie LaFever both had two.
In another close game, Utica won 7-6 in the nightcap. Highland scored five runs in the first, but only managed one the rest of the way, allowing their opponents to catch up and then take the lead in the sixth frame.
O’Bryant and Smith combined to strike out one and walk five. Smith added four hits, while Parker Steck had a double and two singles, Oder had a double and single and Coffee collected two hits.
Rob Hamilton can be reached at 419-946-3010, ext. 1807. Connect with him on Twitter at @SportsMCS
