Lady Mustangs cranking out the wins

by Rick Colegrove

At the start of the season, everyone knew the Lady Mustang’s offense was going to be good. The question that had to be answered was how the pitching was going to hold up. Over the course of the season, and specifically this past week, those questions can be and should be put to rest. With Zoe Lanier, Abbye McKinney and Becca Bates on the mound, the ladies from Hughes Springs are shutting down opposing offenses and leaving them little to hit. With each pitcher having an array of pitches, they keep the hitters guessing and induce lots of ground outs while making quick work of them, to boot.

This past week, the ladies went 2-0 and limited Chapel Hill and Mt. Vernon to three total runs. Chapel Hill could only muster on run, while Mount Vernon was able to crank a couple home runs, but that was it.

Last Tuesday, the Hughes Springs ladies welcomed the Lady Devils from Chapel Hill, and played like they were late for prom, because they were able to beat Chapel Hill, 11-1 and needed only an hour and half to accomplish that.

Behind a 4-4 performance from Bailey Tenbrook, the ladies cranked out 14 hits, with 6 doubles and 1 home run in the win. Tenbrook was locked in with four doubles, adding three RBI’s and four runs scored. Peyton Blythe also blasted her fourth home run on the year, going one for two with two walks. Blythe also scored two runs in the win. Kennedi Northam was 3-4 on the night with two singles and a double, scoring three runs and adding an RBI to boot. Haylee Wilson was two for four with two singles and a RBI.

Starting pitcher for the ladies was freshman sensation Abbye McKinney. She limited the lady Devils to just two hits while allowing one earned run. McKinney threw a total of 65 pitches, with 42 of those strikes. On the year, McKinney is 7-1 and has surrendered only eight earned runs.

Friday, the ladies again were at home and played host to the Lady Tigers from Mount Vernon. It was the second time the Lady Mustangs had squared off against Mount Vernon. The first game was in Mount Vernon and was a win for Hughes Springs to the tune of 11- 0. This game was a little tighter than most would have wanted, but still was a win. Winning the game 5-2, it allowed Hughes Springs to improve their season record to 21-5.

Each game for the ladies it seems there is a new and different hero. Friday’s game was no different, as Kensley Echols was the one wearing the cape. She blasted a three run home run in the first inning to put the ladies on top, 4-1. Hughes Springs was able to hold the lead with stellar pitching by Zoe Lanier and a great defensive effort by all on the field.

Shelbie Fickling and Haylee Wilson were big in the win with both ladies getting two hits in the game. Both scored a run, with Fickling also having an RBI in the win. Kennedi Northam was two for three at the plate with a run scored as well. It was a tighter game than most would have liked but the Lady Mustangs proved they could win a close game and that will do nothing but help them come playoff time.

Next week’s game will be an away game against Daingerfield on Tuesday. The Lady Mustangs will then have an open date on Friday.