Lady Lions gain win in season opener
By
The Highland County Press-
LEESBURG — The Fairfield Lady Lions opened the 2011 high school softball season with a 10-2 victory over the Washington Lady Blue Lions.
The Lady Lions were led by junior pitching ace Lauren Larrick, who picked up the victory on four hits with no earned runs. Larrick struck out 10 batters and blasted a fourth-inning two-run home run.
Heather Huff and Danielle Butler also collected two hits on the afternoon, with Butler knocking in four runs.
The Fairfield Lady Lions were slow to get started, permitting an unearned run in the top of the first inning.
FHS took a 2-1 with two runs in the bottom of the second inning.
Sirenity Smith, Kortney Paris and Kylie Bates loaded the bases on three walks. Butler followed with a single to score Smith and Paris.
FHS erupted for six runs in the fourth inning to take a commanding 8-1 lead.
Kylie Bates walked with one out. Heather Huff singled to centerfield, moving Bates to third base and advancing to second base as the throw went to third. Butler doubled down the left field line, driving in Bates and Huff. Butler advanced to third base on a wild pitch, and Abby Thackston walked. Thackston and Butler then executed a double steal as Butler scored. Whitney Hanenkrat blasted a double to right-centerfield, knocking in Thackston. Larrick followed with a home run over the centerfield fence to make the score 8-1.
Washington pushed another unearned run across the plate in the top of the sixth inning to make the score 8-2.
Fairfield completed the scoring in the bottom of the sixth inning with two more runs. With the bases loaded and two outs, Shelby Smithson blasted a double to the fence in left-centerfield.
FHS leading hitters included: Huff (2-for-2 one run), Butler (2-for-3, double, SAC bunt, one run, four RBIs), Hanenkrat (1-for-3, double, two runs, one RBI), Thackston (1-for-3, one run) and Smithson (1-for-4, double, two RBIs).
Lentz suffered the loss for Washington. Lentz pitched six innings, allowing nine hits, 10 runs (eight earned) and seven walks. She had seven strikeouts.
Fairfield opens Southern Hills League play Tuesday as they host the Whiteoak Lady Wildcats at 5 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]
The Lady Lions were led by junior pitching ace Lauren Larrick, who picked up the victory on four hits with no earned runs. Larrick struck out 10 batters and blasted a fourth-inning two-run home run.
Heather Huff and Danielle Butler also collected two hits on the afternoon, with Butler knocking in four runs.
The Fairfield Lady Lions were slow to get started, permitting an unearned run in the top of the first inning.
FHS took a 2-1 with two runs in the bottom of the second inning.
Sirenity Smith, Kortney Paris and Kylie Bates loaded the bases on three walks. Butler followed with a single to score Smith and Paris.
FHS erupted for six runs in the fourth inning to take a commanding 8-1 lead.
Kylie Bates walked with one out. Heather Huff singled to centerfield, moving Bates to third base and advancing to second base as the throw went to third. Butler doubled down the left field line, driving in Bates and Huff. Butler advanced to third base on a wild pitch, and Abby Thackston walked. Thackston and Butler then executed a double steal as Butler scored. Whitney Hanenkrat blasted a double to right-centerfield, knocking in Thackston. Larrick followed with a home run over the centerfield fence to make the score 8-1.
Washington pushed another unearned run across the plate in the top of the sixth inning to make the score 8-2.
Fairfield completed the scoring in the bottom of the sixth inning with two more runs. With the bases loaded and two outs, Shelby Smithson blasted a double to the fence in left-centerfield.
FHS leading hitters included: Huff (2-for-2 one run), Butler (2-for-3, double, SAC bunt, one run, four RBIs), Hanenkrat (1-for-3, double, two runs, one RBI), Thackston (1-for-3, one run) and Smithson (1-for-4, double, two RBIs).
Lentz suffered the loss for Washington. Lentz pitched six innings, allowing nine hits, 10 runs (eight earned) and seven walks. She had seven strikeouts.
Fairfield opens Southern Hills League play Tuesday as they host the Whiteoak Lady Wildcats at 5 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]