McLouth softball dazzles home crowd on senior day
A large senior group of McLouth High softball players watched as their final home doubleheader came and went Thursday against Hiawatha.
There were plenty of highlights to ensure the final home doubleheader would be a memorable one.
Stephanie Thompson, Leigh Anna Thompson, Emily Nitzsche, BriAnn Smith Tiffany Kramer and Bobbie Jo Masqua all competed for the final time at the MHS softball field.
In the first game, one of those seniors was the deciding factor in a tight game.
With the game scoreless in the bottom of the sixth, Stephanie Thompson clobbered the ball for a stand-up triple. Thompson then scored on a bad throw back to the infield. McLouth eventually won, 1-0. Fellow senior Leigh Anna Thompson pitched a one-hitter with eight strikeouts and two walks in seven innings of work.
In the second game, Hiawatha jumped out in front with a 1-0 lead after one inning, but it was all McLouth after that. The Bulldogs scored two runs in the third, five more in the fifth and four in the sixth for an 11-1 victory.
Sam Farris had a stand-up triple in the second game, while Leigh Anna Thompson drove in four RBI on three hits.
On the mound, Ashley Alloway struck out nine Red Hawk batters on three hits. She also walked a batter as she pitched a complete game in six innings.
With the victories, McLouth improved to 13-3. The Bulldogs will finish out the regular season with a doubleheader Thursday at Valley Falls.
Pairings for McLouth’s regional are expected to be released today. The Bulldogs will travel to Pleasant Ridge for their Class 3A regional in Easton. Games will start Tuesday and will finish up May 19.
Game 1
McLouth 1, Hiawatha 0
Hiawatha 000 000 0 — 0 1 1
McLouth 000 001 x — 1 1 1
Pitching: MHS — Thompson (WP), 7 IP, 1 H, 8 K, 2 BB; HHS — Gunderson (LP), 6 IP, 1 H, 5 K, 1 BB.
Hitting: MHS — 3B: Thompson (1).
Game 2
Hiawatha 100 000 — 1 3 5
McLouth 002 054 — 11 11 1
Pitching: MHS — Alloway (WP), 6 IP, 3 H, 9 K, 1 BB; HHS — Flewelling (LP), 5 2/3 IP, 11 H, 2 K, 0 BB; Gunderson, 1/3 IP, 0 H, O BB.
Hitting: MHS — Hits: L. Thompson (3), Mills (2), S. Thompson (2), R. Thompson (2); 3B: Farris (1); RBI: L. Thompson (4), S. Thompson (2), R. Thompson (1), Nitzsche (1), Farris (1).