Roberts ties record with 18 strike outs; girls beat Apollo

Lily Roberts tied a school record with 18 strike outs during a 6-2 win for the Lady Hornets over
Apollo at Vastwood Park Thursday. It was the opening game of the fast-pitch softball season for
Hancock County.

Ella Staples put the first run of the season on the scoreboard when she tripled and scored on an
error in the first inning. It was a defensive battle until the fourth inning when Apollo scored on a double to right field.  An error on the Hornets allowed a run to score in the fifth and the E-Gals led 2-1.

Hancock County plated four runs in the home half of the fifth and never trailed again. Gracie Gaynor walked and Breze Riley singled with one out.

Gaynor scored on a hit by Kylie Westerfield and another walk loaded the bases. Baylee Estes scored on a wild pitch before Westerfield and Jordyn Waltrip both crossed home plate on fielder’s choice RBIs by Lily Roberts and Ella House.

Roberts struck out the side in the sixth and set down two more batters in the seventh to tie the record set by Taylor Wroe Morris.Roberts allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits with 18 Ks and no walks over seven complete innings. E. Bullington took the loss for Apollo.

Staples was 1 for 2 at the plate with a triple and one RBI while Gaynor and Riley both went 1 for 2. Westerfield and House both went 1 for 3 with one RBI each. Roberts was 0 for 2 with one RBI.

The Lady Hornets were on fire Monday evening during a home game against McLean County.

Hancock County plated 14 runs during the first two frames and went on to win with a final score of 15-0 in four innings.

Lily Roberts struck out two batters in the first inning and the Lady Hornets’ offense took command in the bottom of the inning.

Baylee Estes and Kylie Westerfield each drew a walk and both girls stole a base before Ella Staples delivered a 2-run hit to get things started. Two hits, a walk and a hit batsman later and Hancock had seven runs on the scoreboard.

Only one hit was needed for the Lady Hornets to plate seven more runs in the second inning as the Lady Cougar pitching staff issued two walks and hit three batters during the frame.
The game was called after four innings on run rule.

Roberts got the win while allowing no runs on no hits with four Ks and no walks through two perfect innings. Gracie Gaynor allowed just one hit and struck out one in one inning of relief, and Jordyn Waltrip had one K during one inning pitched. A. Willis was the losing pitcher.

Staples was 2 for 2 at the plate with three RBI. Estes was 1 for 1 with two RBI, Aubree Mosbey, Taylor Gibson and Tessa Walls were all 1 for 1, Roberts was 1 for 2 with two RBI, Ansley House was 1 for 2 with one RBI,

Emmalynn Higdon had three RBI and Breze Riley had two RBI. Layni Roberts and Ava Riggs had one RBI each. Ella House scored two runs. Estes stole two bases. Riggs, Westerfield and Ella House all had one steal each.

By Steve Wimmer