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Searching for its first win since March 25, the McLean County High School softball team scored ten times in its first at-bat and held Hopkinsville hitless during a 15-0, three-inning victory Tuesday in Calhoun.
The Tigers committed seven errors and allowed 14 hits during their 11th straight loss to start the 2024 season. Hoptown’s lone hit came on Emma Lykins’ one-out single in the top of the first inning. She was eventually stranded at second base following an inning-ending batter’s interference call.
McLean sent a dozen players to the plate before an out was recorded in the bottom of the first inning, including six consecutive singles to open the frame. Abigail Walker’s two-run double put the Cougars up 9-0 at one point, ultimately helping the Cougs end a seven-game slide.
After HHS turned a double play to finally stop the bleeding, MCHS tacked on a pair of two-out runs from RBI singles by Brooklyn Whitworth and Kaydence Stokes to cap off the 11-run inning.
Hopkinsville’s Amani Jones and Jesslyn Trejo drew back-to-back walks to lead off the top of the third, but relief pitcher Ava McCarty entered to retire the next three batters, including a pair of strikeouts to end the run-shortened contest. McCarty (2-3) got the win; starter Macie Geel worked the first two innings.
McLean County (4-14) had five players who recorded at least two hits apiece. Walker (3-for-3, double, two runs, three RBI), Sophie Frailey (2-for-2, double, three runs), Kylie Rickard (2-for-3, run, three RBI) and Whitworth (2-for-3, run, two RBI) led the way offensively.
Hoptown (0-11) will continue its search for win No. 1 when the Tigers host Dawson Springs (0-14) at 6 p.m. Thursday. HHS has defeated the Panthers in seven straight meetings, dating back to 2018.
