Holcomb softball overcomes Naylor at home

Holcomb softball players congratulate Ella Lemings at home plate after she rounds the bases following a two-run home run against Naylor Friday night.

Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

HOLCOMB – Sisters Maleigh and Ella Lemings led the way with eight combined runs for the Lady Hornets softball team (9-3) to bounce back from a slow offensive start and defeat Naylor 20-10 in five innings at home Friday night.

Maleigh hit a two-run and a three-run home run, and Ella hit a two-run homer as well. The duo combined for nine RBIs by the end of the game.

Maleigh racked up five hits while Ella added three. Kaetlyn Danley contributed three more, and Ava Gurley, Chloe Hendrix and Katelynn Sweaney put up two each. Libbey Callis rounded out the board with one.

“They both struggled a little bit yesterday, but they really hit the ball well today,” Holcomb coach Matt Casper said of Maleigh and Ella. “That can weigh on you, but they did a great job of bouncing back today. 20 runs in five innings against that team, we really hit well today. You can’t count on it every day, but hopefully more often than not we’ll be swinging well.”

Holcomb’s Maleigh Lemings steps up to the plate in Friday’s game against Naylor. Lemings concluded the game with five hits, two homers and seven RBIs.

Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

Casper explained that the Hornets “finally got selective with the pitches” they were swinging at. Still, the two teams were tied 5-5 entering the bottom of the fourth inning after making some defensive adjustments early on.

Naylor’s Destiny Thomas pitched a complete game for the Eagles. She threw 151 pitches, 74 strikes and three strikeouts. She surrendered 17 hits, 10 walked batters and committed 17 errors.

With seven total hits on the day, Holcomb’s productive nine-run fourth inning and six-run fifth innings sealed the deal for their win. On the other hand, Naylor matched the Hornets with seven total hits, but Holcomb’s defense allowed little leeway.

In the fourth, Maleigh capitalized on an error to reach second base, and Ella doubled on a fly ball to bring her home, kickstarting the comeback. Ella, Zilliah Privett, Libbey Callis, Chloe Hendrix, Katelynn Sweaney and Kaetlyn Danley all made it home to lead 14-5 entering the fifth.

Jaden Bowen started in the circle for an inning, but Ava Gurley earned the win after pitching the final four innings. Gurley allowed five hits and five runs on 55 pitches and 27 strikes for zero strikeouts. She surrendered five walked batters and committed five errors.

Holcomb’s Ava Gurley throws a pitch Friday in a game against Naylor. Gurley relieved Jaden Bowen in the second inning.

Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

“We started out a little slow,” Casper said. “We walked too many to start, and Naylor’s a very good fundamental team. They scrapped across five runs to start the game. We needed to make an adjustment pitching, so we switched it up. Ava Gurley came in and threw strikes and let the defense work behind her.”

For their efforts so far this season, the Hornets have been ranked No. 6 among Class 1 teams in Missouri.

“It’s always an honor to be ranked,” Casper said. “It’s big for your school and community when you get that kind of recognition.”

“But it is what it is,” he continued. “It doesn’t mean that you’ve accomplished anything yet. It means you’ve been noticed, and that’s what you want, but it just means we have to keep working and that our target has gotten even bigger.”

Holcomb travels to Neelyville on Monday. Next, they travel to Bernie Tuesday, Delta Wednesday, and they will host Cooter Thursday and North Pemiscot Friday.