Sunday, April 2, 2017

Lady Eagles pick up signature win

The Oran High School softball team picked up a big win on Friday by defeating the Kennett Lady Indians 4-1 on the road.  Kennett won the spring softball state championships in 2014 and 2015.  They reached the quarterfinal round and defeated the Lady Eagles twice last year.

This year, however, Oran used the long ball and shut-down pitching from their underclassmen to pick up the win.

In the third, freshman Kaylee Payne hit a solo shot, her first of the year, to give Oran a 1-0 lead.

In the fifth, sophomore Leah Cauble hit a two-run blast to make it 3-0.

Meanwhile freshman Sam Welter allowed only 1 run, on back-to-back doubles in the 5th.

The Eagles picked up some insurance in the seventh when Payne scored from first on Cauble's single to set the final score.

Welter went all 7 to pick up the win. She is now 3-0.  She allowed 3 hits, 1 earned run while walking 2 and striking out 2.

Coach Jim Eftink said, "Sam was matched up against an elite pitcher and a tough lineup and she showed what she's made of.  That girl has nerves of steel."

At the plate, Cauble was 2-4 with the home run, 3 RBI's.

Eftink said, "Leah hit another homer which was the game changer. Her two-run shot gave us a lead and allowed us to do some things that we probably wouldn't have done without a three-run lead."

Payne was 2-3, homered, scored twice and drove in one.

Eftink commented, "Kaylee really gave us a boost when she hit her first career home run. And some of the plays she made at short were spectacular. We couldn't have won this game without her defense. Her base running was a big factor as well. Anytime you have someone score from first base on a single is huge.  That was our fourth run and it really swung the momentum of the game."

Sydney Kern was 2-4 with a double and Maddie Graviett had 2 hits in 3 at-bats.

"A strong day at the plate by both Maddie and Sydney. Both had a pair of hits and kept the pressure on Kennett. The lineup from top to bottom continues to produce," said Eftink.

"What a big win.  This group of girls is truly amazing," Eftink added.

Oran improved to 5-0 heading into Saturday's Puxico Invitational Tournament.

This was Kennett's Coach's quote the day before the game














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