Softball

Mexico defeats state-ranked Elsberry 6-2 without RBI hit

Mexico didn't need a hit to score a run on Wednesday.

The Lady Bulldogs finished with three hits at Class 2 No. 9 Elsberry but still won 6-2. Mexico (7-10) walked seven times and stole home twice.

Kaleigh Samuelson and Hannah Loyd each had RBI groundouts. Samuelson and Aleigha Henderson each had a steal of home. Scottie Smith walked twice and scored on a passed ball while Payton Shaw drew a walk to pick up a RBI.

Henderson allowed six hits, one walk and one earned run in six innings pitched against Elsberry (15-5) while Keerstan Ewing allowed one hit in one inning.

Mexico begins the California Turf War Tournament at 1:30 p.m. Friday against Boonville (6-9). The Lady Bulldogs are the two-time defending champions.

North Callaway scores inning season-high  in 10-0 win over California

North Callaway only had a two-run lead against California on Wednesday.

The Ladybirds still won their game 10-0 in five innings. They scored an inning season-high eight runs in the fifth inning.

Ella Slater finished 3-for-3 with three RBI and a home run, Kendra Pennell had two RBI, and Megan Schmidt went 2-for-4 with two runs. 

Lauren Speight didn't strike out a batter but only allowed three hits and one walk on 45 pitches. Speight stranded two California (4-10) runners in the fifth inning after being backed by a diving stop by the shortstop Schmidt, who flipped to second baseman Faith Cash for the inning-ending forceout. 

"I didn't care about strikeouts," head coach Mariah McKee said. "She was hitting the corners perfectly."

North Callaway (13-6, 4-1 EMO) hosts Class 2 No. 6 Montgomery County (9-4, 4-1 EMO) in a 5 p.m. showdown between Eastern Missouri Conference foes at home.

Ashenfelter sets Paris career strikeout record in 10-0 win over Scotland County

Kennedy Ashenfelter has made history in the circle.

The Paris senior struck out 12 with four hits and two walks in six innings in a Wednesday home victory over Lewis and Clark Conference foe Scotland County (4-6, 1-2 L&C). The 12 punchouts were enough for Ashenfelter to set the school career strikeout record at 447 and counting.

On top of going the distance in the six-inning game, Ashenfelter had two RBI, two walks and a double at the plate. Knightlee Mitten and Wendi Sutherland each had two RBI, Reese Sutton finished 2-for-4 with a RBI, and Sophia Crusha scored two runs and had a triple.

Paris (12-3, 2-1 L&C) hosts the Paris Tournament on Saturday as the No. 2 seed, which means the Lady Coyotes face Mark Twain (8-8). The Lady Coyotes defeated Mark Twain 11-5 to start the season.