After collecting two consecutive victories in the week, the NCOE Lady Cardinal softball team knew they had their work cut out for them against the Crab Orchard Lady Trojans if they were going to be able to make this a perfect three for three on the week. Crab Orchard, whom most have picked to be the top team in the Greater Egyptian Conference this season, came into this contest with a 13-1 overall record and an undefeated conference record to this point. Not to mention, the Lady Trojans were returning all but one starter from last year’s team that reached the Class A Regional Championship game.

First inning action was a little rocky for NCOE as they allowed seven Lady Trojans to reach base and five of those crossed the plate to take a 5-0 lead. In the bottom of the first, the Lady Cardinals were able to put the ball in play, but stellar defense by Crab Orchard kept the bases clear. The second inning wasn’t much better for NCOE as their defense was all but flawless and they allowed three more runs to score, putting Crab Orchard ahead by a score of 8-0. This score would hold until the top of the fourth inning when the Lady Trojans struck once again for one run to increase their lead to 9-0.

Hits were hard to come by in this game for the Lady Cardinals, but Brit Peyton and Ally Black each collected a single for NCOE in the bottom of the fourth inning to spoil the no hit bid by Crab Orchard pitcher Brooke Arnold. Unfortunately, they were unable to score. The fifth inning action gave way to one more Crab Orchard run to see NCOE fall behind 10-0 with one more chance to score in order to keep the game going, but once again, lights out pitching and perfect defense did not allow NCOE to cross the plate as they fell by the final score of 10-0.

Ally Black took the mound for NCOE in the contest. Black went four innings, giving up nine runs (seven earned) on eight hits while recording five strikeouts. Caite Weiss relieved Black to pitch one inning giving up one run on one hit while recording two strikeouts.

“Crab Orchard has the best pitcher that we have faced thus far in the season, and one of the best, if not the best that we will see all year. The girl’s never backed down and went up to bat and put the ball in play and made them make a play. Unfortunately for us, they made the plays and never committed an error.” This loss dropped the Lady Cardinals to 4-3 on the year and 2-1 in the GEC.

NCOE will travel to Crab Orchard on Tuesday, April 21, then play at home on April 23 against Hardin County and again on April 24 against Galatia.

Following a week full of wet weather and two rained out games, the Lady Cardinal softball team was anxious to get back into action. And that is exactly what NCOE did when they traveled to Grayville Monday afternoon.

First inning action witnessed the Lady Cardinals sending eight batters to the plate and coming away with three runs on five hits. This strong start motivated the Lady Cardinals defensively as they did not allow a run in the bottom of the first inning to maintain their 3-0 lead. NCOE slowed down a little in the second inning but was still able to score a run and increase their lead to 4-0. After a three up, three down bottom half of the second, the Lady Cardinals picked up two runs in the top of the third to extend their lead to 6-0. The bottom half of the third is where NCOE had a little bit of a defensive let down as they allowed two Bison runs to cross the plate narrowing their lead to 6-2. Fourth inning action saw the Lady Cardinals claim another run only to allow one in return to Grayville in the bottom half to bring the score to 7-3. In the fifth inning, NCOE scored another run and held Grayville scoreless for the third time in the contest to go up 8-3. The sixth inning appeared to be where the Lady Cardinals were tired of letting the Bison hang around as they scored five runs to go ahead 13-3. Knowing all they needed was to hold the Lady Bison to another scoreless inning to end the game was obviously too much for the Lady Cardinals as they allowed two runs to cross the plate forcing the seventh and final inning. In the seventh inning both teams held strong defensively as neither team would allow a baserunner nor score a run allowing the Lady Cardinals to walk away with the 13-5 victory.

Sydney Tucker had a team high of four hits on the day with one being a double. Tucker also collected three RBI’s and scored three runs. Brit Peyton knocked out three hits of her own with one being a triple, collected three RBI’s, and scored one run. Ally Black also had three hits with one RBI and two runs scored. Riley Cozart gathered three hits as well along with one RBI and two runs scored. Elizabeth Martin picked up two hits on the day with three runs scored. Caite Weiss was credited with one hit along with three RBI’s, and Brittany Thomas added a hit of her own. Jenn’na Wurst and Morgan Phillips each scored a run for NCOE.

Ally Black was called on for pitching duties today. Black pitched all seven innings and allowed five runs on five hits while striking out a season high 10 batters. This win improved the Lady Cardinals record to 3-2 overall.