Lady Hornets blast Ohio County 16-6 in season opener
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The Lady Hornets were unstoppable during a “run-ruled” 16-6 win in five innings over Ohio County in the season opening softball game at Hartford Monday. Lauren Proctor knocked in five runs for Hancock County and Adi Hurst hit a home run.
“This was a good way to start off the season,” HCHS coach Dwayne Wroe said. “We jumped on them early and Lauren hit the ball right on the nose all three times. Her only out was a line drive.”
The first inning went well for HCHS as the Lady Eagle pitcher struggled on the mound. The frame was filled with walks, wild pitches and hit batters and Dwayne Wroe’s charges took advantage by scoring six runs.
Hancock County went ahead 12-0 in the third after scoring six runs with two outs on the scoreboard. Kylie Westerfield blasted a 2-run triple and Proctor hit a base clearing double.
The Lady Hornets added a run in the fourth before Hurst hit her 2-run home run blast in the fifth. Layni Roberts doubled and scored the final run for Hancock County.
“Adi’s home run was the first of her career,” Wroe said. “It was a rocket over the left-center field fence.”
Ohio County players belted back-to-back home runs in the fifth before the final out was recorded.
Hayley McFarling earned the win on the mound, allowing one unearned run on five hits, with eight Ks and no walks over four innings pitched. Gracie Gaynor pitched in relief, allowing five runs (four earned) on three hits, with one walk.
Proctor was 2 for 3 at the plate with a double and five RBI, and Westerfield was 2 for 3 with a triple. McFarling was 1 for 1 with a double and three runs scored, and Hurst was 1 for 1 with a homer and two RBI.
Roberts was 1 for 1, Emmalynn Higdon was 1 for 1, Ella House was 1 for 2 with one RBI, and Ella Staples was 1 for 3. Lily Roberts had one RBI and she and Braley Roberts scored two runs each.
Coach Wroe has an abundance of talented players on his roster and figuring out his lineup won’t be as easy as in past years.
“I’ve got 14 or 15 girls that I can play at any time and they’re all capable of producing,” Wroe said. “Some of my better defensive players aren’t my better offensive players so it’s going to be kind of a puzzle for me to figure out all season. I told everybody to be ready when it’s their time and so far they have.”
By Steve Wimmer
