Pitching with a lead always helps.
The Branson Lady Pirates scored three early runs, backing freshman starter Catrina Ford, as Branson beat Rogersville 5-2 at Logan-Rogersville High School on Thursday evening.
“It’s pretty nice to have a lead like that,” said Ford, who allowed only three hits in a complete game effort, striking out three. “It’s nice to know that I don’t have to worry if I miss a spot, especially with my defense behind me.”
Branson tagged a run in the first and added two more in the second on RBI knocks from Ashley Large and Tori O’Dell. The Lady Pirates had base-runners in all seven innings, keeping the pressure on Lady Wildcats starting pitcher Julia Marshall.
“They’re confident every time they go up to the plate,” Branson coach Kent Doyle said. “They’re going to put the ball in play and find a way to get on base. Right now, we’re struggling with getting them across the plate sometimes.”
Rogersville made it interesting in the third, plating two runs on RBI hits from Shelby Ince and Marshall, cutting Branson's lead to 3-2. Unfortunately, Marshall’s hit was the last allowed by Ford, who retired 10 of the final 11 she faced.
“Cat had a real good outing today,” Doyle said. “That’s what we expect every time. We don’t expect her to overpower anybody. We expect her to throw fly balls and ground balls and let our defense show her support.”
Branson added a run in the sixth on an RBI sacrifice fly from Ashley Large and another in the seventh on Ford’s RBI single. Ford went 3-for-4 at the plate.
“This being my first year, I’m glad I got to know these girls during the summer,” Ford said. “We have a real good bond. Starting this year off with two wins is pretty good.”
Branson 1 2 0 0 0 1 1 5
Rogersville 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2
WP-Ford
LP-Marshall
