LADY TIGERS CLAW RLHS: Offense powers Straughn to big victory

Published 12:05 am Wednesday, April 26, 2017

The Straughn Lady Tigers picked up a big win on Tuesday night when they defeated the Red Level Lady Tigers 16-0 in Straughn.

Straughn pitcher Dallas Mackoff retired Red Level with three strikeouts in the opening frame.

Mackoff reached first base with a one-out single and then came around to score off a single from Sarah Langford to put Straughn up 1-0.

An error and hit batter then put Straughn on top 4-0.

Molly Stewart then singled to right to give Straughn a 6-0 lead.

Following a walk, Straughn was up 7-0 heading into the second inning.

Mackoff continued the strong work on the mound and retired Red Level in order including a pair of strikeouts.

Straughn loaded up the bases of singles from Caroline Wood and Emmaliegh Ray and fielder’s choice off the bat of Allie Hawkins.

#7 followed with a line drive to center to give Straughn a 9-0 lead.

Red Level pitcher Ashlyn Joyner picked up a strikeout before a double from Stewart to put Straughn on top 11-0.

In the bottom of the third inning, Red Level pitcher Marianne Vigor worked around a pair of walks to keep Straughn from scoring in the frame.

Straughn came out swinging in the bottom of the fourth inning with a one-out double from Mackoff.

A single off the bat of Madison Harrison then put Straughn up 13-0.

Following the game, Straughn honored its two senior softball players.

Straughn head coach Kenny Skipper said that the two seniors (Stewart and Langford) on the team have been pivotal to the Lady Tigers’ success.

“These are two real special players,” Skipper said. “The way they play the game is the way that it is supposed to be played. Win or lose, they are going 110 mph on every pitch and every play.  Since the were in seventh grade, they have been a part of 110 wins, four regional appearances and one state tournament appearance. Those are all great things, but the most special thing about them is their character and integrity. They are the ones out here teaching the young girls the right way to play the game. They are going to be missed around here.”

Red Level coach Allen Catrett said his team has to cut down on the miscues.

“You can’t take anything away from Straughn because they played a great game,” Catrett said. “We just have to approach the beginning of the games with a better mind set. We have to come in with expectation of winning no matter what the name of the team we are playing. We have to work on that and we have can’t let errors become contagious.”