McCorkle perfect in season opening win

By COSMO COSSEY

Poinsett County

Democrat Tribune

EPC's Kelly Ann Lucas rips the ball for a solo home run during game action in Lepanto. (Photo by Cosmo Cossey)

EPC's Keegan McCorkle tossed a perfect game in the Warriors 10-0 win over Pocahontas in the season opener for both teams last Monday in Lepanto.

McCorkle struck the side out in order in the top of the first inning as the Warriors got on the board in the bottom of the inning. Terrin Powell reached on an infield single before being thrown out trying to steal second base. Kelly Ann Lucas was hit by a pitch and scored when McCorkle singled and the ball was misplayed by the center fielder to make it 1-0 EPC. Natalie Dunman was hit by a pitch before courtesy runner Avah Wiggins stole third base. Mercedes Reel drew a walk as all the runners were left on base as Jaycee Davis and Kelly Ashcraft both struck out to end the inning. McCorkle again set the side down in order on strikeouts in the top of the second inning. The Warriors went down in order in the bottom half of the inning as Brinley Brewer and Cameron Argo both struck out and Powell grounded out as the score stayed 1-0 EPC.

McCorkle made it nine strikeouts in a row in the top of third inning before Lucas was again hit by a pitch leading off the bottom of the third inning. McCorkle blasted a two-run home run to make it 3-0 EPC as Dunman struck out for the first out. Reel singled and moved to second on a passed ball before scoring after Davis singled and was tagged out in a rundown to make it 4-0 Lady Warriors. Kelly Ashcraft walked and was left on base when Brewer watched strike three go by. A pop out and two more strikeouts from McCorkle set the Lady Redskins down in order in the top of the fourth before EPC added two runs in the bottom half of the inning. Argo grounded out and Powell struck out as Lucas and McCorkle hit back-to-back solo home runs to make the score 6-0 EPC. Dunman flew out to end the inning.

McCorkle again set the side down in order with three strikeouts in the top of the fifth inning. The Lady Warriors got a lead-off single from Reel who advanced to second on a passed ball. Davis singled to score Reel before Kelly Ashcraft doubled to score Davis making it 8-0 EPC. Kelly Ashcraft went to third on a passed ball as Brewer coaxed a base on balls. Argo's infield single plated Kelly Ashcraft to make it 9-0 as Powell drew a walk to load the bases. Brewer scored on an errant throw off Lucas' fielder's choice grounder to make it 10-0 EPC ending the game via the run rule.

McCorkle led EPC at the plate with three hits, two runs scored and three RBIs as Lucas had a hit, three runs scored and a RBI. Davis had two hits, a run scored and a RBI, Kelly Ashcraft had a hit, a run scored and a RBI, Reel had two hit and two runs scored and Argo added a RBI for the Lady Warriors.

McCorkle pitched a perfect complete game allowing no runs, no hits and no walks, while striking out 14 batters.