The Marshall Lions softball team traveled to Kansas to play Tri-County’s Titans in a non-conference game on Tuesday, April 14th. The Lions were coming in off a huge win at Robinson the day before to improve their record to 11-1, while the Titans, who defeated Heritage on Monday, were coming in with a record of 2-6.
On paper, Marshall’s experience and quality of wins in the early part of the season posed a difficult undertaking for the young team they were facing today, but with this contest having the possibility of being a trap game between the Lions’ win yesterday in Robinson and the conference home opener coming up on Thursday against Paris, this game could have had coaches concerned that their team wouldn’t be as motivated to play hard.
The notion was quickly removed as Marshall scored multiple runs in each of the four innings, tallying 3 runs in the first, 10 in the second, 2 in the third, and 6 in the fourth to win the game over Tri-County by the score of 21-1. Tri-County scored their lone run of the game in the bottom of the first.
Avery Cornwell pitched all four innings, giving up one unearned run on three hits while striking out 7 to get the win. Cornwell got all the runs she needed in the top of the first inning when Lynn Welborn, McKenzie Davis, and Klaire York each scored for Marshall to take a 3-0 lead after a half-inning of play.
After the Titans brought across an unearned run in the bottom half of the first, the Lions came up to bat in the top of the second focused on fundamental hitting and base running. With one out in the inning, Lilly Nickles singled on a line drive to left field. Lynn Welborn followed by lacing a double to right field to score Nickles. Welborn then scored three pitches later on a passed ball. Lauren English drew a walk before McKenzie Davis hit a drive to center field to score English. Klaire York then singled to left field to bring in Davis, and after York stole second base, Avery Cornwell brought her in on the next at-bat. Cornwell came in to score on a single by Kyla Gustafson before Caitlyn Hilliard cleared the bases with a towering home run to right center field to make the score 11-1. Lilly Nickles came up to bat next and was plunked by a pitch, so she took first base. Lynn Welborn then rocketed a pitch on a bee line that cleared the fence in right center field for Marshall’s second home run of the inning which made the score 13-1.
The Lions scored two more runs in the third inning when Avery Cornwell doubled before Ella Mattas singled to bring in Cornwell. Mattas would later come in to score on a passed ball to make the score 15-1. With Cornwell pitching on cruise control, the Lions reserve players got some playing time in the field, and in the top of the fourth, the Lions bats stayed hot. With Katelyn McNeely and Abby Engerski both getting on base to set the table, Lauren English came up to bat and drove a single to right field to bring in McNeely and advance Engerski to third base. McKenzie Davis then smashed a double to the fence in left field to score both Engerski and English. After Davis advanced to third base, Mollie Kent brought her home with an RBI. Consecutive singles by Avery Cornwell, Ella Mattas, and Raegyn Kent loaded up the bases before Katelyn McNeely drove a single to left field to bring home Cornwell and Mattas with Marshall’s 20th and 21st runs of the game.
Two strikeouts by Avery Cornwell, followed by a groundout to shortstop Lauren English in the bottom of the fourth ended the game via the run rule as Marshall defeated Tri-County by the score of 21-1 to improve their record to 12-1 on the season.
The Lions were led by Lynn Welborn (home run, double, single, 3 runs scored, 3 RBI) and Ella Mattas (2 runs scored, RBI), who each had three hits. McKenzie Davis, Klaire York, and Avery Cornwell (Marshall’s 3-4-5 hitters) each had 2 hits. Lauren English reached base three times, scored twice, and drove in a run. Caitlyn Hilliard had a big home run in the second inning that brought two runs across, and Lilly Nickles reached base twice (double, HBP), scoring both times she reached base. Katelyn McNeely also reached base twice, scoring a run while driving in two. Kyla Gustafson (run scored, RBI) and Raegyn Kent also collected a hit apiece.
The Lions return to action this Thursday, weather permitting, when they are scheduled to host Paris in the conference home opener for Marshall. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 PM at the Marshall softball diamond.
Abby Engerski drives the ball versus Tri-County
Olivia Strohm made her first start in center field for Marshall against Tri-County
Raegyn Kent singles to load the bases against Tri-County
Katelyn McNeely smacks a single to left to bring home two runs for Marshall
Caitlyn Hilliard launches a 2-run homer against Tri-County during Marshall's 21-1 win
