Lady Wildcats open season offensively, score 30 in first two

Special to the News

While several were enjoying their spring breaks out of the area, the Mount Vernon Lady Wildcat softball team had some fun of their own, carving out wins in each of their first two games of the season.

On Friday, the Wildcats faced South Spencer in the second game of the season and dismissed the Lady Rebels by a final score of 13-11 in a game dominated by offense. Picking up their first win in the Pocket Athletic Conference and moving to 2-0 (1-0) on the young season.

Wildcat senior Alaina Allyn started the game, had a reliever during a later portion of the contest, then came back in to seal the victory in the late innings.

Gloria Guerrero drove in five runs on three hits to lead Mount Vernon. She tripled in the second scoring two, singled in the fifth, scoring two, and singled in the seventh scoring one.

Both offenses were strong at the plate as the Wildcats collected 15 hits and South Spencer had 10 in the high-scoring affair.

The Wildcats got on the board in the top of the first inning after South Spencer committed an error, and Ali Lyke grounded into a fielder’s choice, scoring one run.

The Wildcats scored five runs on four hits in the top of the second inning. Stella Hall tripled scoring one run. Allyn then added an RBI single and an error also scored two runs. Guerrero then tripled, scoring two runs.

South Spencer took the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning after Julia Trone doubled down the left field line. The Wildcats committed an error and a third strike was dropped followed by a Ruthee Clark double to center field, each scoring a run.

In the top of the seventh inning, the Wildcats fought their way back into the lead after Guerrero singled to left field, Lindsey Allyn singled to center field, and Kai Wallace flew into a double play, each scoring a run.

Alaina Allyn earned the win for Wildcats. The righty gave up five hits and four runs (only one earned) over five innings, striking out 11 and walking one. Clark took the loss for South Spencer. The starting pitcher went seven innings, giving up 14 runs (eight earned) on 15 hits, striking out five and walking seven. Mallory Rhodes appeared in relief for Mount Vernon in the fifth for the Wildcats.

Allyn and Guerrero were a force together in the lineup, as they each collected three hits for the Wildcats while hitting back-to-back. Lacy Allyn and Hall each collected multiple hits for Cats. Hall showed a good eye and patience at the plate, picking up two walks.

Overall, the team had patience at the plate, collecting seven walks for the game. Alaina Allyn and Hall each stole multiple bases for the Wildcats. The Wildcats stole five bases in the game.

South Spencer piled up 10 hits in the game. Clark and Bri White collected three hits apiece for South Spencer while hitting back-to-back. White provided pop in the middle of the line-up, and led South Spencer with five runs batted in. The cleanup hitter went 3-for-4 on the day. Alexis Harris stole two bases. South Spencer turned one double play in the game.

In the season opener, the Wildcat offense showed up big with 17 runs on 11 hits to defeat Loogootee 17-11. Loogootee also collected 11 hit but could manage to push only 10 runs across.

Guerrero collected three hits in five at bats in the win. She singled in the first, in the second, and again in the fourth.

The Wildcats Wildcats got on the board in the first inning after Guerrero’s single scored two runs.

The offense continued in the second as the Lady Cats scored seven runs on four hits in the second inning. An error scored one run and Ali Lyke drew a walk, scoring one run. Alania Allyn scored after tagging up. Guerrero again singled scoring one run. Lindsey Allyn then doubled, scoring two runs. Another run scored on an error.

The Wildcat onslaught continued with five runs on two hits in the bottom of the fifth inning, and a dropped third strike scored one run. Lilly Watzlavik doubled, scoring three runs, and Brylea Anderson drew a walk, scoring one run.

Allyn earned the Wildcats. The senior hurler surrendered two hits and two runs (zero earned) over three innings, striking out eight and walking two. Watzlavik pitched four innings in relief for Wildcats. She gave up nine hits and eight runs while, striking out four and walking four. Savannah Green took the loss for Loogootee. The Lady Lion went one-and-one-third innings, allowing seven runs (three earned) on four hits, striking out two and walking two.

Allyn and Lacy Allyn each collected multiple hits for homestanding Wildcats. The Wildcats piled up eight walks for the game. Kai Wallace and Lyke led the team with two free passes each. The Lady Wildcats turned one double play in the game.

Loogootee collected 11 hits in the game. Ava Jeffers went 3-for-3 at the plate and led the team with three runs batted in. Ava Jeffers, Lauren Nolan, and Maycee Hembree each collected multiple hits for Loogootee. Green paced Loogootee with two walks. Overall, the team collected six walks for the game.

The Wildcats were slated to play at home on Tuesday against Evansville Bosse.