Womack tosses one-hitter in 11-0 win over EPC

By COSMO COSSEY

Sports Connection Team

Klaire Womack just missed throwing a no-hitter as she allowed one hit while striking out 12 batters in an 11-0 win for Riverside (6-0) over the EPC (3-3) in Lepanto.

EPC's Cedes Reel fields a groundball during the Lady Warriors' game with Riverside at the Lepanto Sports Complex. (Photo by Cosmo Cossey)

Annalee Qualls doubled leading off the game for Riverside as Kaylee Cox flew out for the first out. Brooklyn Berry popped out before Katie Ridge watched strike three for the third out. Terrin Powell walked leading off the bottom half only to see Madilyn Strop, Cedes Reel and Riley Ashcraft all strikeout to end the inning. Womack struck out looking in the top of the second inning as Ryley Eakins reached on a double. Carly Jo Womack's sacrifice bunt moved Eakins to third as Blakely Biggers struck out for the third out. Kelly Ashcraft walked leading off the bottom of the second inning before Karmen Jones struck out looking. Brinley Brewer moved Kelly Ashcraft to second base with a sacrifice bunt as Kylee Henderson grounded out to end the inning with no score in the game.

Bennett Durham struck out leading off the top of the third inning for Riverside as Qualls belted another double. Cox singled to scored Qualls making it 1-0 Lady Rebels. Berry lined out to Brewer at second who made the throw to first to double off Cox for the third out. Caroline Miller legged out an infield single for EPC leading off the bottom half of the inning only to see Powell and Strop both strike out. Miller was thrown out trying to steal second base to end the inning. Riverside sent 14 batters to the plate in the top of the fourth inning and plated 10 runs as Ridge led off the inning with a solo home run to make it 2-0 Lady Rebels. Klaire Womack followed with a triple before scoring on a single by Eakins making the score 3-0. Eakins stole second base as Carly Jo Womack struck out and Biggers grounded out. Durham reached on infield single that scored Eakins to make it 4-0 Riverside. Qualls drove in Durham with her third double of the game to make it 5-0 as Cox followed with a single to plate Qualls to push the led to 6-0 Riverside. Berry singled as Malorie Booth came in to courtesy run and Ridge drew a walk to load the bases. Klarie Womack singled to score Cox and Booth making it 8-0 before Eakins tripled to score Ridge and Klaire Womack to make the score 10-0. Eakins scored on a passed ball making it 11-0 as Carly Jo Womack reached on an infield single only to see Biggers line out for the third out. Reel struck out leading off for EPC in the bottom of the fourth as Riley Ashcraft drew a walk. Reel moved to second on a passed ball before Jones and Brewer both walked to load the bases. Henderson struck out for the third out leaving the bases loaded.

The Lady Rebels went three up and three down in the top of the fifth inning as Durham struck out and Qualls and Cox both flew out. Avah Wiggins and Powell both struck out as Strop was hit by a pitch and Reel coaxed a walk. Both runners were stranded when Riley Ashcraft struck out to end the game via the run rule.

“I'm really excited with the way we played. I thought Klaire (Womack) threw the ball really well and we hit the ball well today,” Riverside head coach TJ Eakins said after the game. “EPC's a good team and we just hit the ball that one inning and jumped on them early,” Eakins added. “I”m surprised with how well we are playing early with a long basketball season. These girls put in a lot of work,” Eakins said.

Eakins had three hits, two runs scored, three RBIs and a stolen base to lead Riverside at the plate. Klaire Womack had two hits, two runs scored and two RBIS, as Qualls finished with three hits, two runs scored, a RBI and a stolen base. Cox added two hits, a run scored and two RBIs, Ridge had a hit, two runs scored and a RBI with Bennett having a hit, a run scored and a RBI. Klaire Womack pitched all five innings giving up on runs on one hit with six walks, 12 strikeouts and a hit batter

Miller had the only hit for EPC in the game. Henderson took the loss giving up 11 runs on 14 hits with one walk and six strikeouts in five innings of work.

“Riverside hit the ball really well today. I thought we battled and competed but we let that one inning get away from us,” EPC head coach Brandon Powell said. “They scored some runs but never could battle back after getting down. I was proud of the way the girls competed and made some plays today, just didn't make enough and we didn't hit the ball today,” Powell added.