Lady Indians top rival McClain

The Hillsboro Lady Indians scored at least one run in every inning but one Wednesday evening, which eventually led to a South Central Ohio League win, defeating the McClain Lady Tigers, 9-3.

The rivalry matchup between both Hillsboro and McClain had the visiting Lady Indians ahead 3-0 after the first four innings, with one run in the first, followed by one run each in the third and fourth innings.

From there, the Lady Indians built a 6-0 advantage after the top of the fifth with a three-run inning.

In that scoring run, Ali Stratton began the game with a first inning with a walk. She eventually scored the first run of the game on a passed ball.

The second run scored in the third inning, where Kerstin Thornburgh rounded the bases for the second run of the game.

HHS took a three-run lead in the fourth with a run scored, also on a passed ball. She initially reached the bases with a single.

The fifth inning was the best for HHS, adding three runs to their total with Hanna Breeden, Madison Snyder and Kirsten Juillerat all scoring runs in the inning. Juillerat finished with 2-for-3 with two runs.

HHS added three more runs in the final two innings, with Stratton, Juillerat and Emily Myers all scoring runs.

"It took us a while, but we had the inning where we got a few across," HHS head coach Catie Moberly said. "This was just another tough fight in the SCOL."

For the Lady Tigers, MacKenzie Anderson scored a run in the fifth, while she added another run in the seventh, along with Valerie Caldwell. Anderson finished 2-for-3. Also 2-for-3 was Caitlyn Lovett.

Thornburgh was the winning pitcher, going all seven innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits and no walks.

"I feel like we are snake bit," MHS head coach Ed Bolender said. "I don't think we played bad. We hit the ball, but we just aren't scoring with runners in scoring position. We just can't get that big hit.

"Give the girls credit … they show up every day, and I can see the improvement. We just aren't getting the results we want."

The loss went to Sarah Thompson, and pitching in relief was Willett. Thompson pitched four innings, allowing five runs (none earned) on three hits and eight walks, along with four strikeouts. Willett had one strikeout.

"Kerstin pitched well, and she, along with our catcher Rachel (Sexton), kept them off-balanced," Moberly said.