The NCOE Lady Cardinals softball team bats got hot at home, giving the team two much needed conference wins after a tough loss on the road to begin the week.
Sydney Tucker earns an RBI the hard way, taking a pitch to the head with the bases loaded. Voice Photo / Jeff Skaggs
On Monday, the Cards traveled to Hamilton County, where they were downed by the Foxes 11-3. Shealyn Healy had two hits, Emily Edwards rapped a double, Brittany Thomas recorded a hit, and Sydney Tucker had a single and the team’s lone RBI. Tucker and Megan Martin handled the pitching duties in the loss.
Tuesday, the girls returned home to pick up a big win over Crab Orchard 10-9 at Beaty Field. After leading most of the game, NCOE allowed six runs in the top of the sixth, falling behind 8-7. The Cardinals rallied with two runs in the bottom of the frame on a two run double from Thomas, scoring Emily Edwards and Joli Murphy to regain the lead 9-8. The Trojans tied the game in the seventh, but the Lady Cards answered again, with Tucker driving in the go ahead run.
NCOE banged out 13 hits in the win with Britt Peyton driving in three runs, Tucker and Thomas a pair each, Edwards with one, and Murphy with one on a solo home run. Stormy Baker and Healy both had hits.
On the mound, Tucker was great, allowing 9 hits over seven innings, walking four and striking out four, only allowing two earned runs.
Thursday, the Lady Cardinals hosted Carrier Mills and scored early and often, downing the Wildcats 19-5 in five innings. Tucker picked up her second win on the week, allowing only two hits in three innings, striking out three and allowing no earned runs. Martin and Hannah Wimer finished out the game, with Martin giving up a pair of earned runs in 1 and a 1/3.
Offensively, the Lady Cardinals exploded with six batters recording runs. Tucker and Edwards each plated four, while Murphy, Thomas, and Kasey Ingram each had three. Healy drove in one and swiped a pair of bases, while Lexie Money had a hit.
The Lady Cardinals battle Cisne on the road on Monday, and host Galatia and Hardin County on Tuesday and Thursday.
