The bats were loud in the fourth inning as the Mountain Grove Lady Panthers broke the game open with six runs against the Cabool Lady Bulldogs, propelling them to a run-rule 15-5 finish in the sixth inning.
“This game is a constant rivalry between Cabool and Mountain Grove,” said Mountain Grove head coach Lori Hyde. “Our girls came out and wanted to win and did the job.”
Both teams jumped out of the gate with bats swinging, ending the first inning with Mountain Grove up 3-2. Cabool scored two runs to overtake the lead in the second.
The Lady Panthers added four to the scoreboard in the third, then ran away with the lead, and ultimately the win, in the fourth.
“It kind of went like it’s been going,” said Cabool head coach Dennis Brown. “We have some great innings and then we have one inning where we fall apart for a while, and that’s the inning that kills us. We had them 4-2 at one point and let them come back. It’s just a matter of putting it all together and not having that one inning.”
Coach Hyde was proud of the Lady Panthers’ teamwork. “It’s really hard to put a lot of name tags on a team effort,” she said. “We had a huge fourth inning, and I think in the latter parts of the sixth inning you understand why Colbee Anderson was an all-regional player last year; catching those diving catches, making the adjustment with the sun and the wind, which were huge factors today. She drifted and she made those catches. We rattled the bats really well, saw the ball and hit the ball, and good things happen when that happens.”
Anderson made a diving catch in centerfield to seal the win for the Lady Panthers.
Mountain Grove pitcher Laci Collins settled in quickly for a quality contest. After six Cabool batters reached base in the first inning, only six more runners reached for the remainder of the game. Collins also earned five strikeouts on the night. “She did an amazing job locating her pitches on the mound,” said Coach Hyde, “and Allie Cavillo does a great job calling her pitches for her.”
Makenzie Berry scored in each of her four plate appearances for the Lady Panthers on three hits and one walk. Ashton Albrech went three for four with two doubles and two runs scored, and Allison Calvillo reached base four times and was three for four with two singles and a double. Avery Lee had three hits and three runs scored and reached base all four times. “She had great situational hitting and scored some runs when we really needed them,” said Coach Hyde.
Coach Brown noted the solid play of senior pitcher Kelsey Drone, who reached base four times and was two for three with a walk, a double, and a single. “Alyssa Matherly, junior behind the plate, is doing an awesome job back there, and when she hits the ball she hits it to the fence,” said Coach Brown. “Her sister Kara is playing shortstop for us. Those girls are the leaders on our team and work with the younger girls.” Another standout was Kiley Kelly, who led the team with three hits and two runs scored.
“We’ve got a good group of girls this year, and we’ve got some good seniors and good leaders and we’re starting to work together. You’ve got to give it to Grove, they’re a good team. They are district champions working on their second districts, and we want to be in the championship with them.”
This weekend, the Lady Bulldogs will compete in the Plato tournament in hopes of evening out their 3-5 record. Mountain Grove will face new competition in the Mount Vernon tournament. Their record is now 10-1 on the season.
Mountain Grove 3 0 4 6 1 1
Cabool 2 2 0 1 0 0
