NASHVILLE – The Nashville Scrapperettes took a win over the Fountain Lake Lady Cobras after a massive first inning put them in unassailable position.
The game began with the Lady Cobras seeing three up, three down as Anna Kesterson at the dish mounted up three of her six strikeouts for the game. As the Nashville team then headed to the batter’s box in the bottom of the first, a display of offensive capability that could not be matched by many teams in the conference.
The steady drumbeat of runs that the Scrapperettes set up began with Brookelyen Cox coming in on a fly to center from Brittany Hilliard, then Madison Miller and Mattie Jamison were each walked in, Gabi Dougan ran in on an error, Kaylea Carver and Jamison both came home on a fly to center from Cox, Madi Horton ran in after tagging up on a popup out by Alyssa Harrison, Cox was again brought in on a line drive to center by Miller, Hilliard came in on a dropped third strike on Dougan, Miller ran home a second time on an error, Dougan scored on another error and Carver made it in on a fly to center from Horton. This incredible series of plays set the score Nashville 14-0 at the end of the first inning.
The second inning was quick, with the Lady Cobras again putting three up and three down, and the Scrapperettes only getting on base as Kacey Hinds singled with a fly to center field.
The third looked initially to be shaping up the same way, with the Fountain Lake team again coming back to the bench almost as soon as they stepped into the box, but the Nashville girls were able to get back into the swing of things in the bottom of the inning after Dougan and Carver were walked by the Lady Cobra pitcher. Jamison then performed her signature running bunt to third base to load the bases and KeeKee Richardson took a walk – which brought Dougan in, triggering the 15-run rule and ending the game. Final score Nashville 15-0.
Cox led the team from the batter’s box with two hits, two runs and two RBIs in three at bats, while Kesterson was credited with the win as her 35 pitches were 65.7 percent strikes.
The following afternoon saw another relatively easy win for the Scrapperettes in a non-conference game against the Spring Hill Lady Bears. The Lady Bears came into the game feeling good after wins over the two other Howard County teams, defeating the neophyte Lady Hornets and edging out the Lady Outlaws by one in consecutive outings.
The game began looking less than rosy for the Nashville team, with the only Scrapperette making base was Harrison, who singled on a line drive to left field. The Spring Hill team, on the other hand, stole a run in the bottom of the first, establishing the score Spring Hill 1-0.
The Scrapperettes woke up in the top of the second, bringing in a pair of runs as Richardson ran in on a hard grounder to left from Horton, then Horton came home on an error.
Scoring stayed relatively flat through the end of the fifth inning, with the single run being Carver coming in on a sacrifice play by Horton on the top of the fourth.
By the top of the sixth, the Spring Hill girls were starting to droop against the Scrapperettes, which resulted in a trio of runs. Miller ran home on a fly to short by Horton, and Richardson and White each were walked in. This set the score Nashville 6-1 going into the bottom of the sixth.
The teams batted the ball about for the remaining time, with neither able to capitalize on gains. The game ended where it was at the end of the sixth, final score Nashville 6-1.
Kesterson was again credited with the win, pitching all innings for a 68.2 strike percentage, while Horton was the offensive leader with two hits and three RBIs in two at bats.
The Scrapperettes are next scheduled to play Friday afternoon at Waldron against the Lady Bulldogs.
