Semoball

Miscues haunt Sikeston softball in 17-7 loss to Chaffee

Sikeston first baseman Megan Witt stretches to field a throw as Chaffee's Abby Cowell crosses first base safely on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018, at the Sikeston Recreation Complex. (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)

SIKESTON — For the first two innings, the Sikeston softball team held their own with a strong Chaffee team on Thursday at the Sikeston Recreation Complex.

The Bulldogs led after one inning of play and tied it after two innings of play, but eventually ran out of gas in their 17-7, five-inning loss.

The top of the order for the Devils was nothing short of consistent.

Bailey Wiseman and Madeline Hendrix each were on base every time they stepped to the plate. Wiseman went 1-2 at the plate with two walks, while Hendrix went 3-4, falling just a home run away from completing the cycle.

Sydney Walker also provided some clutch moments, going 3-3 with five RBI and four runs scored.

One thing that head coach Brian Horrell was most pleased about was not the consistency from the top of the lineup, but how the bottom part of the lineup contributed.

Chaffee's Bailey Wiseman is congratulated by teammate Sydney Walker after scoring a run against Sikeston on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018, at the Sikeston Recreation Complex. (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)

“We’re real comfortable with the top of our lineup,” Horrell said. “Our bottom of the lineup came through today and set the table for the top. You know, a lot of times, our top of the lineup comes through the second, third time through the lineup with opportunities to drive in runs. I was really proud of our girls in the bottom of the order and our girls at the top, you know, they just continue to do what they’ve always done. Our younger girls at the bottom is working hard on their approach; they’ve had some good approaches today, they did a great job being patient and find a way to get on base.”

Brittany Wood, Abby Cowell, and Jayden Welch went a combined 4-12 with four runs scored. Cowell and Welch each contributed on the base paths too, with three stolen bases.

Sikeston, though, seemingly found a way to make the game interesting early on.

The Bulldogs continued to fight back, even after the Devils had big inning after big inning.

In the first inning, Natalie Lazcano and Megan Witt reached base on a pair of singles.

Katie Hampton would then drive them both home, on a one-out triple — which tied the game at two at the time. Hampton would then give the Bulldogs an early advantage as the senior scored on a wild pitch from Walker.

The Bulldogs would then add one more run, as Emma Drury reached on a walk and Iraca Weakley singled and then moved Drury and herself up one station after an error by the center fielder to put another couple of runners in scoring position.

Julia Spurlock answered the call from there, laying down a beautiful bunt to score the runner from third, giving Sikeston a 4-2 lead.

Chaffee, though, was able to add on themselves, scoring five more runs in the top of the second to take a 7-4 lead and putting more pressure on the Bulldogs to react.

Errors wound-up costing the Bulldogs in that inning, as they had a pair of them which resulted in two runs scored.

After Sikeston answered with three runs of its own in the bottom of the second, the Devils settled in from there.

Chaffee (9-4) scored in all five innings, as every hitter recorded one hit in the game.

Jumping out early and staying the course even when Sikeston was fighting back, was one thing that Horrell eluded to after the game.

“We came out early, jumped on them with two runs, had second and third nobody out, and we got to be able to cash in right there,” Brian Horrell said. “In that situation, we got to be able to score those two runs. Unfortunately, we had two outs thrown out at the plate. Our girls were being aggressive, just didn’t get the greatest jump, but I liked the way our seniors continued to battle and lead us today. That’s the thing, we’ve got eight seniors on this team, and they got to be able to lead us through a game like this. You know, Sikeston kept punching us right back and eventually we settled down.”

Sikeston head coach Laura Brown knew that her team was in for a tough test, as Chaffee boasts a lot of excellent hitters in its lineup.

“We just fell short at very crucial times,” Brown said. “Once again, errors played a part in the demise. We were too slow making plays, and Chaffee took advantage every time. They are a hitting team, and they got their money’s worth at the plate. Silver lining, no home runs from Chaffee. We knew the meat of their lineup and their potential, so we knew we had to pitch around them a bit — just not enough.”

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WP — Sydney Walker. LP — Emma Drury. 2B — Sydney Walker 2 (C), Jayden Welch (C), Madeline Hendrix (C), Katie Hampton (S). 3B — Madeline Hendrix (C), Katie Hampton (S). Multiple hitters: Chaffee — Madeline Hendrix 3-4, Sydney Walker 3-3, Mollie LeGrand 2-4, Jayden Welch 2-4; Sikeston — Natalie Lazcano 2-3, Megan Witt 2-3, Katie Hampton 2-3, Iraca Weakley 2-3.

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