Monday night at Lions Field was the opening game of the 2010 softball season for the Marceline Lady Tigers. Despite a slow start offensively from the home team, the Marceline girls showed a lot of heart and took their first game in extra-innings.
LaPlata, on the other hand, started quickly on offense. In the top of the first, LaPlata scored three runs in seven at-bats. Marceline went down in order to put themselves behind 3-0 after one inning was in the books.
The second inning saw a great double play from Abby Gauthier to Lauren Ewigman off of a hard liner to second base. Offensively in the home half of the frame, Madison McCormick had a single to lead off and took two bases on the pads. Lauren Ewigman walked, Alyson Ewigman had a single as well and loaded the bases. Brittany Wright had an infield single and earned an RBI to put Marceline on the board. After two innings, the Lady Tigers were down 3-1.
Both teams were held scoreless in the third inning, leaving the score left at 3-1. LaPlata added two more runs in the top of the fourth to extend their lead. Alyson Ewigman had a two-out double, but was stranded on base. After four innings, Marceline was down 5-1.
The score remained the same in the fifth inning, despite singles from Kallie Hilsabeck and Taylor Enyeart. LaPlata remained offensively cold in the top of the sixth inning, while the Lady Tigers’ bats came to life in the home half of the frame. Natalie Wheeler started things off with a double to center field. “I think it [her hitting] shows that I can still improve, but can also help fill some of the big shoes that last year’s seniors left,” said Wheeler after the game. Madison McCormick reached on a Fielder’s Choice, while Wheeler was deemed safe at third. Lauren Ewigman slammed an RBI single to center field, while Alyson Ewigman speeded out a bunt single to re-load the bases. A fielding error with two-outs gave Taylor Enyeart a three-RBI single and tied the game. After six innings, the game was tied 5-5.
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