Shelby softball crushes Marion Harding
Shelby girls softball continued its winning ways, run-ruling Marion Harding 21-3 on Wednesday evening in Shelby.
The host Lady Whippets left little doubt, jumping out to an 8-0 lead after the first inning and scoring the game’s first 16 runs.
Kelsey Snyder pitched a four-hitter, allowing three earned runs and striking out four.
Once again, the Shelby defense was flawless in the field, playing errorless ball for the season’s first three games.
The Lady Whippets banged out 16 hits, highlighted by a Mallary Gundrum home run.
Kendal Parsons was 4-4 on the night, with a single, two doubles and a triple. Braylee Sturts was also perfect at the plate, going 3-3 with three singles.
Shelby scored their first two runs without the benefit of a hit. Maggie Bogner reached on an error and Natalie Kennard walked. Bogner and Kennard both scored via passed balls to make the score 2-0. Parsons walked and Gundrum then ripped a homer over the center field wall to make the score 4-0.
Sturts singled, Adey Cornette reached first on an error and Lexi Booker hit a single to load the bases. Alyssa Booker grounded out to short to knock in Sturts. Studer grounded out to the shortstop to knock in Cornette. Bogner then scorched a double to score Lexi Booker. Alyssa Booker scored on an error to make it 8-0 after the first inning.
The Shelby bats continued to stay hot, scoring one run in the second, seven runs in the third and scoring five more in the fourth.
“The girls played really well again tonight. Playing another errorless game. Kelsey Snyder pitched a really nice game, trusting her defense behind her and keeping them guessing,” said Shelby coach Sami Martin
Shelby totaled 16 hits for the game. Gundrum had 2 hits, including the homer. Lexi Booker also had two hits, including a double. Bogner smacked a double. Kennard, Kendra Walp, Cornette and Studer each hit singles.
The Lady Whippets are now 3-0 on the season and 2-0 in the MOAC. Saturday, Shelby travels to Madison for a non-conference doubleheader.
The Shelby junior varsity team was also victorious, run-ruling Harding 21-2.
Peyton Bruskotter pitched 2.1 innings of scoreless ball to notch the victory. Ella Keller threw 2.2 innings in relief.
The Lady Whippets scored 15 runs in the first inning.
Bruskotter, Kelsey Young, Ruthie Faith, and Grace Hopkins all had three hits apiece. Hopkins hit a triple and double, Young smacked a double. Ryleigh Buckner and Keller each had two singles. Abby Snyder, Erica Winkle and Maddie Crose each had singles.