On Thursday, a depleted Continental High Softball team used 12 runs in the middle inning to take control of the game at Allen East. The Pirates were missing 3 players who were on the band and choir trip to Washington DC. The Pirates got lots of runners on base as they hit 9 singles earned 7 walks and were hit by pitch 6 times. The Pirates scored in the first half of the first to take a 1-0. The Mustangs would take a lead in the bottom of the second with a pair of runs. Mustangs 2-1. The Pirates plated 4 runs in the third to take the lead for good 5-2. The Mustangs would get to within 1 in the bottom of the third with a pair of runs. Pirates 5-4. The Pirates plated 5 in the fourth and 3 in the fifth to take a 13-4 lead. The Mustangs attempted a last at bat comeback but 4 runs were not enough. Pirates 13-8.
Kenzie Searfoss led the Pirates with 3 singles, 3 runs scored, 1 RBI and 1 stolen base. Mallorie Barnhart got on base 4 times (3 HBP and a walk), scored and drove in a run, and stole a base. Gracie Homier had 2 singles, 2 runs scored, 3 RBIs, and hit a sacrifice fly. Maeci Dockrey got on base 4 times (3 walks and a hit) and scored 3 times. Mackenzie Niese got on base with a hit, walk, and HBP along with driving in 2 runs. Leah Searfoss had a hit and drove in a pair of runs. Ava Homier got waked and HBP, drove in a pair of runs, stole a base and converted a sacrifice. Ryley Winkle got a hit and was HBP and scored 2 runs. Becca Sullivan got on base twic,e a walk and HBP.
Gracie Homier picked up the complete game win going 7 innings giving up 8 runs (1 earned) on 7 hits, 2 walks, 2 HBP, 11 strikeouts. The Pirates committed 2 errors. Continental improves to 2-1 and will travel to Pandora Gilboa on Tuesday for their PCL opener. Allen East falls to 0-1.
–Mike Jones, Sportswriter
