Cass, Eastern refuse to stand pat in Greentown showdown

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The girls on the varsity squads from Lewis Cass and Eastern must have mistakenly thought they were playing Blackjack instead of softball on May 2. Both teams tried their best to get to 21 without going over, and the Lady Kings managed to prevail, 20-18, in Greentown.

For Eastern, the Lady Comets have to be wondering what it takes to get into the win column. At 1-16, their only win came on April 24 when they scored 18 runs to down Sheridan. But against Cass, 18 runs just weren’t enough.

The Lady Kings came out of the gates on fire. They scored 11 runs in the top of the first, hoping to make an early evening of it. But Eastern wasn’t interested in throwing in the towel. They placed eight runs on the scoreboard in the bottom of the inning, demonstrating that it would take more to beat them.

So, Cass obliged. The ladies put another five runs across the plate for a 16-8 lead before fans could get through the concession line and settle into their seats. Still, there was plenty of game to be seen. Eastern would not go softly into the night.

The Lady Comets scored four times in the third and another four in the fourth. When the dust cleared, Eastern had knotted the score at …

*checks scorecard*

16 runs!

And still the two sides had ammo to fire. Cass responded with a pair of runs in the sixth, and Eastern answered with one. The scene repeated in the top of the seventh, as the Lady Kings registered their 20th run. The Lady Comets tried to match the output, but just fell short, scoring once more to account for the final 20-18 tally.

As should be expected the offensive scorebook was filled in on both sides. Cass connected 17 times, with 11 different players registering hits and none of them getting more than a pair. Laney Davis, Ava Hubner (two doubles), Kylie Logan (double), Kami Silcox, Maddie Lynch (double), and Emma Hildebrand each had two hits.

But it was a clout from the bat of Shae Dishner that had her team gathered around home plate. The freshman delivered a home run and drove in five total runs on the evening.

Eastern’s side of the ledger was nearly as full. Senior Katie Hendricks led the Lady Comets with a four-hit performance, including a double and three RBIs. Senior Marly Coan was just as effective, collecting three hits – including a double and a home run – while driving in four.

Myah Stevens, Maddy Stevens, and Elle Winger also managed a pair of hits each, while Mackenzia Causey contributed a solo shot.

With that much offense, it is reasonable to expect the pitching lines for both teams were a bit messy. Cass starter Alisha Toops was touched for 10 earned runs on eight hits while walking four, hitting a pair of batters and tossing two wild pitches. Her reliever, Dishner, allowed four earned runs on seven hits while walking two, hitting one, and sending one pitch to the backstop.

Eastern left freshman Ava Roberson on the mound for the entire game. She endured the torture of surrendering 10 earned runs on 17 hits while walking six, hitting a batter, and uncorking four wild pitches.

It didn’t help either pitching staff that the defense for both teams was a bit spotty. Cass committed four errors on the night. Not to be outdone, Eastern muffed eight plays.

​Lewis Cass (4-7) traveled to Maconaquah on May 5 and hosts Pioneer (8-7) in Walton this evening. Eastern (1-16) returns to action at Taylor (0-11) on Wed., May 7.

See additional photos from this game, with galleries for both teams provided by Adam Hartsough, on the Lantern’s Facebook page or group.