McClain pounds 14 hits in softball victory over Washington
McClain senior Vivian Dennis pitched a complete game vs. Washington. (HCP Photos/Jim Jones)
The McClain varsity softball team fell behind 2-0 after one inning but put their hitting shoes on the rest of the way and picked up a much-needed 11-6 victory over Washington on Daryle Unger Field in Greenfield Monday night.
Senior Vivian Dennis picked up the complete-game victory on the mound and was also one of the batting leaders in the contest, going 3-for-3 at the plate with two doubles and two RBIs.
“Vivian had a rocky start in the first inning, walking three straight batters, but then settled down and struck out the side to end the inning,” McClain head coach Ed Bolender said “Overall, it was probably one of her better games.”
Dennis gave up six runs on seven hits while walking five and striking out eight. McClain took the lead 3-2 in the bottom of the second when Brie Cummins scored on an RBI single by Jaden McCoy and McCoy came around to score on a double by Dennis. Harley Peabody drove in Dennis with the third run of the inning.
The Lady Tigers continued to hit the ball well and grabbed a 9-4 advantage heading to the sixth, where Washington was able to make things a little interesting when they scored a couple of runs, trimming the deficit to 9-6.
But McClain got those two runs back in the bottom of the sixth when Cummins tripled and scored on another run-scoring double by McCoy, and Kenedi Wise drove in McCoy with the final run of the contest. Dennis set down the side in the top of the seventh and McClain prevailed with the 11-6 FAC victory.
“Wins have been hard to come by for us this year, so it’s really nice to get one at home, especially a league one against Washington,” Bolender said.
“Our girls played very well defensively today and didn’t have any errors in the game, which is the first time all year that has happened, and offensively we put the ball in play swinging the bats. Top to bottom, everyone in our lineup contributed.”
Batting leaders for McClain were: Allie Flowers 1-for-3, Kenzi Wise 1-for-3, Leah Lovett 2-for-4, Brie Cummins 2-for-4 (double and triple), Jaden McCoy 2-for-4 (double and 2 RBIs), Vivian Dennis 3-for-3 (2 doubles & and RBIs) and Lindsey Hutchinson 2-for-4.
McClain travels to Chillicothe Wednesday before returning home Friday to play Hillsboro on senior night.
