Lady Lions shutout Hillsboro

LEESBURG — In their past two games, the Fairfield Lady Lions have increased their level of play since their loss to Eastern Brown, as they've allowed just two hits and no runs in their past 14 innings played, including a 10-0, two-hit shutout Thursday against the Hillsboro Lady Indians.

Fairfield (16-6), who the day before clinched the Division II Southern Hills League title, held the Lady Indians to just two hits and no runs as senior pitcher Lauren Larrick tallied her 25th shutout win of her high school career.

As for at the plate, the Lady Lions scattered out their scoring, with one run in the first inning, two in the third, five in the fifth and walking off with the run-rule win in the sixth with two runs.

"We are back to adjusting to different speeds at the plate," Fairfield head coach Matthew Zimmerman said. "I also want to applaud our defense (Thursday).

"Our players are getting confidence and making big plays that two weeks ago, we weren't sure we could make."

What turned out to be enough scoring came in the first inning with senior Whitney Hanenkrat (2-for-4, four RBIs) scoring on a two-out base hit by Larrick.

In the third, the lead went to 3-0 with Kaitlin Evans and Courtney Huff as they both scored on a fielder's choice hit by Hanenkrat.

FHS added five runs on five hits in the fifth with Huff, Shelby Smithson (2-for-4, two runs), Hanenkrat, Sirenity Smith and Halie Chain all rounding the bases for a lead of 8-0. Hanenkrat and Cynnamon Sova-Davy each had a two-RBI base hit in the inning. Chain scored on a base hit by Taylor Butler.

In the sixth, the final two runs scored with Courtney Huff and Shelby Smithson scoring on a fielder's choice by Hanenkrat and a double by Chain.

For the Lady Indians (4-17), their hits came from Katie Baker and Sara Sexton.

Larrick (16-5) earned the win with six innings in the circle, as she allowed no runs on two hits and no walks, while striking out eight batters.

The loss went to Kristen Juillerat, who pitched five innings, allowing eight runs (five earned) on eight hits and four walks. She struck out three. Ali Stratton pitched 2-3 of an inning in relief, allowing two runs (both earned) on two hits and two walks with one strikeout.

Seniors honored before the game were Lauren Larrick, Whitney Hanenkrat and Kortney Paris.

FHS will play again on Saturday in a regular-season doubleheader at Unioto, starting at 10 a.m.

BOX SCORE
HHS 000 000 — 0 2 2 
FHS 102 052 — 10 10 2