Defense shines for Lady Bears in loss to Tigerhawks

North English – English Valleys hosted Colfax-Mingo on June 5 for a chance to pick up a big win from an opponent on the other side of the conference. Entering play the Tigerhawks had a 7-2 record while the Lady Bears held a 2-5 record. Colfax-Mingo would end up winning a close battle 6-1 over EV.

The Tigerhawks struck quickly with a five-run outburst in the top of the first inning but were silenced most of the way going forward. Hannah Marsh settled in on the mound for the Lady Bears, pitching all seven innings. She got some help from her defense as well, making some big plays to limit base runners and keep Colfax-Mingo from adding on for several innings.

While the defense did their part, the offense wasn’t having as much success. A couple base runners would reach but would end up stranded after the inning ended. They finally cashed in with one run in the third and threatened for more. Maddie Mikesell got on base via error and worked her way around the bags with a stolen base and fielders choice. She would end up scoring with an error on the first baseman, allowing her to run home from third with no contest.

Colfax-Mingo would get that run back in the sixth and EV wouldn’t score again. Another highlight play for the Lady Bears defense happened in the top half of the seventh inning. With a runner on third, the Tigerhawks got another aboard with an error but had their runner from third tagged out after being caught in a pickle. Trying to score after the errant throw, Elle Ayers threw home to Karyssa Westfall who then threw to third baseman Addy Westfall who threw it back to Marsh who tagged out the runner, saving at least one run that inning.