Lady Tiger softball team beats up on winless Haskell

Returning to the diamond for the first time in a week, the Cowley College softball team blasted winless Haskell College 19-2 and 12-5 Monday in Lawrence, KS.

With the wins, Cowley evens its record at 4-4 on the season. Haskell is now 0-10 on the season and has been out-scored 108-12.

In game one, Cowley scored in each of the first four innings to lead 5-0. Haskell finally got to Cowley starting pitcher Ashlynn Mercer in the bottom of the sixth inning as Sierra Jones doubled home a pair of runs to pull the Fighting Indians within 5-2.

However, the first 14 Lady Tiger batters reached base safely in the top of the seventh inning as they erupted for 14 runs on only six hits. Cowley benefited from seven walks, a hit batter, and an error in the inning.

Ashlynn Mercer (3-2) struck out nine and walked two as she allowed five hits and two runs in six innings of work. She was relieved on the mound by her sister, Taylor, who pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning.

Lady Tiger shortstop Maci Cole and right fielder Tye North had huge games in the opener with Cole going 4-for-4 with two doubles, a triple, and three runs batted in, and North going 3-for-3 with a triple, three runs scored and four runs batted in.

"Tye North had a huge day for us and had some good competitive at bats," Cowley head coach Jenny Hoyt said.

In game two, the teams were tied at 2-2 after three innings of play. However, Cowley took advantage of three Haskell errors in the fourth inning to score four runs. The Lady Tigers would score six more runs over the final three innings to win 12-5.

Freshman Kennedy Toothman (1-2) picked up her first collegiate victory as she allowed five hits and two runs in six innings pitched.

"Kennedy did a great job controlling their hitters and getting us routine outs," Hoyt said.

Second baseman Mya Chapman led Cowley at the plate by going 2-for-4 with a double and three runs batted in. Shelby Winfield and Cole added a pair of hits, while Merik Edgar and Aaliyah Ahmed drove in a pair of runs.

"Our bottom half of the lineup produced key runs for the team throughout the game," Hoyt said.

Haskell's Justine Butterfield went the distance on the mound, allowing 11 hits, six walks, and 12 runs.

Cowley will return home to play a doubleheader against the Central Christian JV Thursday beginning at 1 p.m.

"We need to keep pressuring teams early in the game and closing games strong," Hoyt said.

Score by inning:

Game one                          R H E

Cowley 1 2 1 1 0 0 (14) – 19 15 1

Haskell 0 0 0 0 0 2 x -         2 5 1

Game two                     R H E

Cowley 0 2 0 4 1 2 3 – 12 11 2

Haskell 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 –   5 7 3