No. 9 Indians take care of Toppers in Game 2
Adam Gore/LetsGoICC.com
New Albany, MS – The No. 9 Indians took care of the Toppers 13-2 to earn their 10th straight victory and improve to 31-9-1. The wins mark the sixth consecutive year the ICC softball program has won more than 30 games in a season.
The doubleheader was originally scheduled as a match-up against Blue Mountain's junior varsity squad made up of freshmen and sophomores, the Toppers' lineup featured seven juniors and seniors in the nightcap.
The Indians took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Alex Brown (Pontotoc) reached on an error and scored on a ground out by Mamie Hollenhead (Mathiston). ICC added a run in the top of the second when Kaitlyn Rhodes (Alexandria, AL) singled and scored on a squeeze bunt executed to perfection by Madison Carnes (Ecru). The Indians cruised to a 3-0 lead in the third inning after Cori Childs (New Site) was hit by a pitch and stole second and third before scoring on a ground out by Sullivan.
Hollenhead led the Indians' 11-hit performance with three hits.
ICC tacked on another run in the fifth when Brown stole home. Blue Mountain got on the board on a two-run home run by junior Bailey Bogue in the bottom half of the inning.
The Indians rattled off five quick runs in the top of the sixth to take a 9-2 lead. Hollenhead singled and stole home before Rhodes smashed a two-run homer. Maura Jane Autry (Holly Springs) singled and Childs reached on a two-out fielder's choice, both scored on a double by Brown.
Blue Mountain would get a pair of two-out singles from juniors Kelly Speer and Madison Gillean before a routine pop-up to second ended the inning.
The Tribe flexed their muscles in the top of the seventh by adding four insurance runs. Hollenhead started the inning with a triple down the left-field line and scored on a single by Regan Hubbard (Calhoun City). Kendall McMahon (Southaven) drew a five-pitch walk and scored on a single by Kelcie Yates (Yazoo City). Hope Patton (Oxford) reached on a fielder's choice and scored on a single by Childs. Carnes walked and scored on a sacrifice fly to left by Brown.
Junior Josie Anderson drew a six-pitch walk before fellow junior Emily Bombard reached on an error before a ground out to third ended the game.
Morgan Barrett (Smithville) improved to 2-0 on the year after giving up two earned runs on six hits and one walk to go along with three strikeouts.
The Indians sent 16 different players to the plate 71 times in the doubleheader and nobody struck out on the afternoon.
For more information on ICC softball, follow the Indians on Twitter (@LetsGoICC).