Lady Tigers run-rule Peebles in season opener

GREENFIELD — The past is in the past of the McClain Lady Tigers, and on Monday evening, they opened a new season with a convincing 19-3 victory over the Peebles Lady Indians in non-conference play.

For the Lady Tigers at Daryl C. Unger Field in the season opener, they scored 13 of their 19 runs in the second inning alone and held a 14-1 inning after two complete innings.

"This was a great start to the season," MHS head coach Ed Bolender said. "It was everything we talked about coming into the game. Coming off our scrimmage from last week, it carried over to (Monday).

"We were pretty good at the plate with 13 hits and were very aggressive on the bases, which is a good thing. With six steals, that's where we want to be every night."

MHS senior Sarah Thompson scored the first run of the season for MHS as she rounded the bases after initially drawing a four-pitch walk with two outs in the first. She scored on an infield error to put MHS ahead 1-0.

Peebles tied the score in the top of the second inning, only to see MHS tally the aforementioned 13 runs on seven hits and two errors in the second inning.

Scoring runs in the second were Kenzie Anderson (two), Savannah Anderson (two), Kelcey Smith, Madison Shumacher, Chantel Landrum (two), Sydney Barton (two), Deserae Newkirk (two) and Thompson.

Thompson's run in the second was off a solo home run over the left-centerfield fence. The senior finished the game 1-for-2 with two walks, one steal and one RBI.

MHS (1-0) added three more runs in the third and two final runs in the fourth.

The second home run of the game for the Lady Tigers was off the bat of Shumacher in the bottom of the third on an 0-2 count to lead off the inning. Shumacher finished 3-for-4 with three runs, one steal and four RBIs.

Two other Lady Tigers finished with three hits with Savannah Anderson going 3-for-4 with two runs, two steals and three RBIs. Newkirk was 3-for-3 with three RBIs and one sacrifice.

In all, the Lady Tigers totaled 13 hits, with Kenzie Anderson leading MHS with five RBIs. Whittnie Boles also scored two runs for MHS in the Opening Day win.

The winning pitcher was sophomore Abby Shrout in her first varsity start. Shrout pitched five innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits and five walks. She faced 23 batters and struck out two.

"Abby did a great job," Bolender said. "She had some control problems with five walks, but it was a cold night, and every time she got into a tough situation, she worked her way out of it.

"I can't ask for more from a sophomore making her first varsity start. She got a game ball, along with the two who hit home runs."

MHS will open South Central Ohio League play on Wednesday when they host the defending SCOL champion Clinton-Massie Lady Falcons at 5 p.m.