Community R-6 returns to CAC dominance with 3-2 win at Cairo, wins 4th title in 5 years

Community R-6 softball finished off another undefeated season in Central Activities Conference play on Monday.

The Lady Trojans defeated conference rival Cairo 3-2 on the road to wrap up a 7-0 CAC season and their fourth conference title in five years. They have compiled a 32-3 conference record within those five years, winning titles with an undefeated campaign every time and bouncing back from a 4-3 conference season a year ago.

"At the start of the season, we had two goals: win conference and win districts," head coach Kendra Murphy said. "They knew it coming in, and they played like it every game."

Community (19-4) trailed 2-0 after the third innings but scored its first run in the fourth inning on a Amy McCurdy RBI single before taking the 3-2 lead in the fifth inning after a Jocelyn Curtis RBI single.

Murphy said the outfielder bobbled the ball on Curtis' hit as Rylee Rafferty scored along with Chloe Johnson on the play. One play truly made the difference in a tight game like that, Murphy said, as the teams combined for 11 hits.

"It was one of those games that could've gone either way," Murphy said. "Chloe stole a base on purpose but not on purpose, and they had a bobble there that allowed her to be there and then score. Our defense stepped up when we needed to hold them."

McCurdy went 2-for-3 with a RBI, and Curtis pitched seven innings with five hits, four strikeouts and an earned run to go with her RBI. Brooklynn Glasgow finished 2-for-4 with a double.

Only two Cairo (12-4, 4-1 CAC) batters reached base via singles against Curtis following the Lady Trojans taking the lead in the fifth inning. Curtis countered Olivia Cross and her seven innings with seven strikeouts, six hits, three runs and one walk.

Community played at Van-Far (2-12) at 5 p.m. Thursday.

Painter, Curtis pitch Lady Trojans to third in Paris, clinch signature win for Murphy

No matter who head coach Kendra Murphy gave the ball on Saturday in Paris, Community R-6 was in good shape.

Community R-6 Third in Paris Tournament Photo Gallery

The Class 1 No. 9 Lady Trojans finished third in the Paris Tournament after shutting out South Shelby 6-0, losing 3-1 to Class 1 No. 8 and reigning state champion Canton and defeating Paris 4-2. Paige Painter turned in 12 innings of nine strikeouts, seven hits, two unearned runs and two walks against South Shelby and Paris and Jocelyn Curtis had eight innings with four hits, three earned runs, two strikeouts and one walk against Canton and Paris.

Head coach Kendra Murphy ended the day leading the Lady Trojans (18-4) to their 18th victory of the season, which is the most for Murphy in a single season. She said Painter and Curtis were a big part of making that and a third-place trophy possible.

“We were really pleased with how both pitchers threw,” Murphy said. “They limited the runs for sure. We just couldn’t score enough against Canton to make it.”

Painter started Community strong with seven shutout innings against South Shelby, limiting the Lady Cardinals to two hits and striking out six. Only two unearned runs were charged to Painter against Paris.

Recently, Painter said she has made adjustments to become even more effective in the circle and believes those are what helped her out Saturday.

“Over the past few games, I’ve realized what I’ve done wrong and made an adjustment to it,” Painter said. “I come open (in my pitching mechanics). When I’m on a centerline, pitches go down the middle and they don’t hit as many batters.”

Curtis didn’t allow a hit and struck out two Lady Coyotes to close out the third-place game and was on the losing end of a pitcher’s duel against Canton and Allie Ruffcorn — seven innings with eight strikeouts, five hits, one walk and one unearned run. She finished with six innings that contained four hits, three runs and no walks.

Murphy said the Lady Trojans could’ve even limited Canton to two runs if they were even more perfect in the field and if she didn’t send Brooklynn Glasgow home to score on a Curtis double in the first inning. Still, Curtis put Community in a great position against the team the Lady Trojans had their eyes on going into the day.

“Our goal was to win the first game and make it to the winner’s bracket,” Murphy said. “We knew we were going to see Canton. I thought we played well.”

“I was just sticking in the corners and not giving them the middle because they are a good hitting team,” Curtis said. “We struggled to hit the ball a little bit, but we were still putting it in play but just right to them.”

Painter and Curtis have alternated turns in the circle all season and each believe they have a great offense and defense that has taken Community this far. They each think the other pitcher brings much to the team.

“She just lifts you up and is always giving you confidence,” Curtis said. “She’s a great pitcher and just makes everyone laugh and feel welcome.”

“She’s going to help the team so much next year,” Painter said. “She’s worked so hard. She’s a great pitcher and great player overall. It’s very fun working with her because she’s the sweetest. There’s no complaints about Jocelyn at all.”

Murphy is thankful to have this pair of arms available this year as well as a roster with girls that can do several things well. Curtis had two RBI against South Shelby and two hits against Canton, Painter had one of three two-out RBI for the Lady Trojans against Paris, and Brooklynn Glasgow finished 2-for-4 with a double and a RBI against Paris.

The Lady Trojans have plenty left to accomplish this season, Murphy said as they are going for a district title.

“They’ve had a good year so far, and we’re not anywhere close to being done,” Murphy said. “We’ve got some good teams in our district, so we’re going to have to step up and play well.”

Community R-6 baseball finishes third in fall Higbee tournament

Community R-6 was able to bounce back in this weekend’s fall baseball tournament.

On Saturday in the Higbee tournament, the Trojans were shut out 3-0 on four hits allowed by Adam Newton and Crocker (9-4) but then found their offense early in a 7-2 four-inning victory against Higbee for third place.

Newton struck out six and allowed one walk in seven innings as Mason Carroll picked up two hits, including a double, and Eli Johnson and Brant Cope each had a hit. Carroll struck out 11 and allowed 10 hits, three runs and two walks in seven innings.

The Trojans (5-4) scored all of their runs against Higbee (3-6) in the first three innings, taking the 5-2 lead after doubles by Mason Rohan and Carroll. Rohan finished 2-for-3 with two RBI, Carroll had two RBI, Lane Carter went 2-for-2 with one RBI, and Eli Johnson scored twice after a hit and a walk. On the mound, Rohan scattered eight hits in four innings to allow one run and strike out six.

Trojans lose on 4-3 walkoff at Pilot Grove

Community R-6 baseball just couldn’t hang on against Pilot Grove on Monday.

The Trojans led 3-2 going into the final half inning but allowed Pilot Grove to walk off in the 4-3 loss. The Tigers (6-6) scored with two outs in the seventh inning.

Up to that point, Cooper Rohan pitched a solid 6⅔ innings and ended up with the final line of six hits, five strikeouts, four unearned runs and one walk. Mason Carroll went 2-for-3 with a double and a two-RBI home run in the third inning that made it 3-0 Trojans. Brant Cope had a RBI single.

The teams combined for 11 hits.

Community (5-5) hosted New Franklin (8-2) on Tuesday before traveling to Prairie Home with Bunceton (2-8) at 5 p.m. on Oct. 3.