Clinton blazes past Scott, advances in district
Topanga Easterday had two hits, scored a run and stole a base in Clinton’s opening game of the District 4-AAA softball tournament. She is shown during a game earlier this season.
Complicating matters further, inclement weather washed out the tournament’s original opening day.
No problem.
When the Lady Dragons finally took the field Monday night, they made quick work of Scott High, cruising to a 10-0, five-inning victory.
With the win, Clinton (23-14) advanced and is set to host the remainder of the tournament.
However, tougher tests lie ahead.
“We did what we were supposed to do,” Clinton Coach Leonard Sams said. “They came to the park today, they were pretty loose, and if they play loose, they should be able to go pretty deep in the tournament. But we’re going to have to make adjustments going forward.”
Clinton jumped out to a fast start, scoring five runs in the bottom of the first inning.
The Lady Dragons added a run in the second and two more each in the third and fourth to end the contest early, collecting 10 hits along the way.
Elizabeth Maples led the charge, going 3-for-3 with two RBIs. She also started in the circle, throwing 4.2 innings. She allowed two hits and one walk while striking out seven.
After yielding briefly to freshman Addison George, who walked one and struck out one, Maples returned to record the final out.
Topanga Easterday had two hits, a run scored and a stolen base.
Bryana Holt doubled and scored twice. Lynlee Adkins doubled, drove in two and scored once.
Tegan Bunch singled and had an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base.
Elizabeth Graham had a hit, two RBIs and a run scored.
The third-seeded Lady Dragons were scheduled to face No. 2 seed Anderson County on Tuesday, but results were unavailable at press time.
The crosstown rivals met three times during the regular season, splitting their two-game district series. The Lady Mavericks also edged Clinton in an early-season tournament game.
