Rick Peck
McDonald County Press
Park Hill took advantage of five McDonald County errors to score eight unearned runs in the Lady Trojans 8-3 win on Sept. 15 in pool play of the Branson High School Softball Tournament to break the Lady Mustangs' six-game winning streak.
McDonald County finished the tournament with a 4-1 record, winning the silver bracket with a 3-0 record.
Park Hill scored three runs in the second on an error, three hits and two fielder's choices, three more in the fourth on two hits and two errors and two in the fifth on an error and three hits.
McDonald County scored a run in the second on a double by Kenzie Stephens, a sacrifice bunt by Miryan Martinez and a wild pitch. The Lady Mustangs' other two runs came in the in the fifth inning on a walk to Katie Kester, a single by Rita Santillan, an RBI single by Chloe Colvin and an RBI triple by Whitney Kinser.
Alexa Hopkins took the loss, allowing six runs on five hits in four and a third innings. Kaylee Cornell allowed two runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning.
McDonald County was held to three hits, one each by Santillan, Stephens and Kester.
Lebanon
McDonald County opened the tourney with a 15-0 win over Lebanon. Hopkins shut out the Lady Yellow Jackets on two hits in three innings.
Kylie Helm doubled and scored in the first to get the Lady Mustangs' offense kick-started. McDonald County went down in order in the second before erupting for 13 runs in the third to end the game on the 15-run rule.
Santillan, Chloe Colvin and Kylie Helm had singles, while Stephens, Hopkins and Martinez had two each to key the big inning, which included four walks and a hit batter.
Branson
McDonald County started bracket play on Sept. 16 with a 12-0 win over Branson.
Hopkins allowed two hits in three innings while Cornell allowed three hits in the final two innings.
Cloee Helm had four hits and scored three runs while Kinser had three hits and scored two and Kylie Helm had two hits and drove in four. Santillan, Stephens and Maddie Colvin had two hits each.
Lamar
Cornell shut out the Lamar Lady Tigers on two hits to lead McDonald County to a 13-0 win in the semifinals of the silver bracket.
Santillan had four hits and Kylie Helm had three and drove in four for the second straight game to lead the offense. Cloee Helm, Kinser, Maddie Colvin and Chloe Colvin each had two hits while Kester and Leslie Yousey had one each.
Seneca
McDonald County closed out the tournament with a 9-0 win over Seneca.
Hopkins allowed two hits in four innings before Cornell gave up one hit in the fifth inning.
Santillan had three hits and Cloee Helm two to lead the offense. Kylie Helm, Hopkins, Martinez, Maddie Colvin and Chloe Colvin added one each.
Marshfield
McDonald County claimed a 10-0 regular season win over Marshfield on Sept. 14 at Marshfield High School.
Hopkins allowed three hits in five innings for the win.
McDonald County was led at the plate by Santillan and Hopkins with two hits each, while Cloee Helm, Kylie Helm, Kinser, Stephens, Kester, Maddie Colvin and Chloe Colvin had one each.
Joplin
McDonald County scored five runs in the fourth inning to key a 9-3 win over Joplin on Sept. 12 at MCHS.
Hopkins went the distance, allowing three runs on seven hits in seven innings.
Cloee Helm, Kylie Helm, Chloe Colvin and Stephens led the offense with two hits each while Santillan and Kinser added one hit each.
McDonald County improved to 14-6 heading into its Sept. 18 game against Lamar and its Sept. 19 game against Cassville. The Lady Mustangs close out the week on Sept. 21 at East Newton.
Sports on 09/21/2017