Eagles claw past McKenzie

Published 12:00 am Thursday, March 22, 2018

Pleasant Home’s Ava Bailey tossed a no-hitter as the Lady Eagles (7-3) blew past McKenzie for a 10-0 victory on Tuesday in Pleasant Home.

Bailey came out with a blistering heater as she struck out all three batters in the top of the first inning.

The Lady Eagles got a few hard-hit balls in the bottom of the first, but couldn’t get a runner on base.

In the top of the second inning, Bailey’s pitching efforts picked up right where she left off in the first.

Bailey needed just 11 pitches to strike out the side in the top of the second inning.

After getting a strikeout and line out to start the top of the third inning, McKenzie got their first base runner after a Pleasant Home error.

Bailey didn’t let it bother her as she struck out the next batter to end the frame.

Tami Hilson walked to start the bottom of the third inning and then came around to score on a passed ball.

Hope Gunter then scored on a passed ball to put the Lady Eagles up 2-0.

Natalie Schwartz drove in Amy Kate Bulger and then a single from Bailey gave Pleasant Home a 5-0 lead.

In the pitcher’s circle, Bailey racked up two more strikeouts on her way to a 1-2-3 top of the fourth.

The Lady Eagles loaded up the bases with two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning with two walks and a hit batter.

Bella Worley then drew a walk to put the Lady Eagles on top 6-0.

Bailey continued to dominate in top of the fifth inning as she struck out three batters.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Gunter drove in Sarah McClung and Hilson.

A single from Bulger then put the Lady Eagles up 9-0.

The Lady Eagles finished off the game when Bulger came around to score on a single.

Bailey struck out 13 batters in five innings and allowed no hits or runs.