Hillsboro softball takes sole possession of FAC first place; defeats Jackson

After two innings of scoreless softball at Jackson High School on Wednesday evening, the Hillsboro Lady Indians showed why they are the reigning back-to-back Frontier Athletic Conference champions.

Hillsboro and Jackson entered Wednesday's FAC clash tied at the top of the standings with 4-0 conference records. By the time seven innings were played, the Lady Indians showed the route to being FAC champions must go through Hillsboro, with HHS defeating Jackson, 9-2.

Both teams played close through the first two innings as neither team scored a run. In the third inning, that all changed with Hillsboro scoring three runs, and Jackson scored two runs for a 3-2 HHS lead.

After a scoreless fourth inning, Hillsboro began to take control of the game — and took advantage of nine total errors by the home team Ironladies — with two runs crossing the plate in the fifth, three runs scored in the six and an extra insurance run added in the seventh for the seven-run win.

HHS moves to 5-0 in the FAC with the win for sole possession of first place in the conference standings. They are also 10-2 overall this season.

At the plate for HHS, Eowyn Brown was 3-for-5 with a double, two runs and two RBI. Kinsey Gilliland finished 2-for-4 at the plate with one run, three RBI and a steal.

Halle Reveal went 1-for-3 against Jackson, adding a double, two runs, a walk and HBP to her final totals. Camryn Spruell was 1-for-3 with two runs, an RBI and a walk. Hannah Burton finished 1-for-4 with a run.

Chloe Roberts scored a run for HHS, and Morgan Garman was 1-for-4 with a double and a run.

Spruell excelled from the circle Wednesday, pitching a complete seven-inning game with two earned runs allowed on three hits and three walks, and she had 13 strikeouts against the Ironladies. Spruell had 109 pitches, 72 for strikes, as she faced 28 batters.

BOX SCORE
HHS    003 023 1 - 9 9 1
JHS    002 000 0 - 2 3 9