The DeKalb Middle School Lady Saints softball team had a busy week, playing all three of their scheduled games on the road. The girls would come out on top in a high-scoring battle with Smith County, but then fall against Winfree Bryant and Warren later in the week.
On Monday, March 14, the Lady Saints traveled to South Carthage to face off with the Lady Owls. Both teams would see high scores in the game.
The Lady Saints would get on the board at the top of the first after Hannah Brown, Sydney Polk, Brooklyn Fuson, Michelle Lotspeich, Sophie Adcock, and Allison Estes all walked. By the time Smith County got off the field, DeKalb was up 3-0.
The Lady Owls would score three of their own at their first at bats, but DMS would continue at the top of the second. Zayleigh Washer and Brown would each walk, then Polk would single. Later, Maggie Hendrixson, Adcock, and Estes would again walk. The Lady Saints were up, 6-3.
Smith County looked to gain some distance at the bottom of the second, scoring nine runs and taking a 12-6 lead, but DeKalb came right back at the top of the third, scoring eight of their own. Washer would single, then Brown would walk. Fuson would then drive them both home with a home run.
Lotspeich would then reach on a single, followed by a triple by Hendrixson. Adcock and Estes would each get a walk, before Lillie Young hit a single. Washer was up next and got a single, then Brown got a double. Before the Lady Saints retook the field, they were up, 14-12.
Smith would keep it close at the bottom of the third, scoring three more runs. At the end of three, the Lady Owls held a narrow 15-14 lead.
The bats would come to life for the Lady Saints at the top of the fourth, with Fuson getting a triple, and Lotspeich and Hendrixson each with a single. Adcock would walk, then Washer and Brown would each get a home run. DMS was back on top, 20-15.
Smith County would be held to only one run at the bottom of the fourth, giving DMS the 20-16 lead.
Lotspeich would single for the Lady Saints at the top of the fifth, but would later be caught at third, then Hendrixson would single off of a bunt. Adcock would walk after being hit by a pitch, and later Washer and Brown would walk. DMS would add three runs to their score and go up 23-16.
The Lady Owls were held to only two runs at the bottom of the fifth, giving the Lady Saints a 23-26 win.
The following day, the Lady Saints were again on the road, this time taking on Winfree Bryant. It would be another high scoring game with pitching problems on both sides.
Washer would get on after being hit by a pitch, and she would eventually make her way home after a single by Fuson. It would be the only run DeKalb would see for the first two innings.
In the meantime, Winfree looked to run away with the game, scoring seven runs in the first inning, and another 11 in the second. The Lady Saints were in a hole, 18-1.
The Lady Saints finally came to life at the top of the third, aided by the pitching of Winfree. Washer would hit a double, then Brown and Polk would each get a walk. Fuson took first after being hit, then later Adcock would get a single.
Estes would then get a triple, followed by a single by Young. Washer would be hit, then Brown would come away with a triple. Polk would single, followed by a walk for Fuson. Lotspeich would reach with a single of her own, followed by a double by Hendrixson. Adcock would then single, followed by a walk by Estes, and a single by Young. The Lady Saint would cut the lead, 18-14.
Winfree would be held to just two runs at the bottom of the third, with a 20-14 lead, then DMS would pull ahead at their next at bat.
Brown would single, followed by a walk for Polk, and Fuson again being hit by a pitch. Lotspeich would then single, followed by a walk for Hendrixson and Adcock. Estes would get a double, and later Washer would triple. Washer would end up crossing home plate, putting the Lady Saints up 22-20.
It came down to the bottom of the fourth, and the Lady Saints defense couldn’t hold off the Winfree Bryant bats. Winfree would end the game with five runs, taking the 25-22 win.
The following Thursday, the Lady Saints were once again on the road, this time traveling to Warren County. It would be a tough game for DeKalb.
Warren get on the board with a run in the first inning, then score five more in the second inning. DMS couldn’t get going until the top of the third, when Washer would take a base after being hit by a pitch. Brown would then hit a single, followed by Polk who was able to send Washer home. Unfortunately, that would be the only run for the girls in the game.
Warren wrapped up the game with five more runs, taking the 11-1 win.
