KAHOKA, Mo. - Each time Scotland County threatened to change the direction of Thursday night’s rivalry matchup, Clark County found an answer.
The Lady Tigers twice pulled within one run, but the Lady Indians responded in the bottom half of both innings before creating separation late in a 9-4 non-conference victory at the Clark County Athletic Complex. Clark County improved to 4-3 behind a complete-game performance from Cadence Morss, while Scotland County suffered its first loss and fell to 2-1.
With the temperature still at 93 degrees when the first pitch was delivered, Scotland County put two runners aboard in the opening inning but could not capitalize. MaKenna Musgrove drew a leadoff walk and Elle Hamlin was hit by a pitch before Morss struck out Kenzington Miller to strand both runners.
Clark County immediately applied pressure in the bottom half. Kennyck Nixon opened with a four-pitch walk, and Holland Perry beat out a well-placed bunt that allowed Nixon to advance from first to third. Nixon scored on a passed ball before Perry came home when a ground ball from Chloe Shatley resulted in a throwing error, giving the Lady Indians a 2-0 advantage despite collecting only one hit in the inning.
The Lady Indians added another run in the second after Perry reached on another bunt and later scored on a passed ball, but Scotland County answered with the game’s biggest swing one inning later.
Musgrove led off the third with a single before Clark County forced out her courtesy runner, Aly Ambrose, at second. With Allie Elenbaas at first, Maty Buford drove a pitch over the center-field fence for a two-run home run that suddenly trimmed Clark County’s lead to 3-2.
Scotland County head coach Abi Haire said she was encouraged by the Lady Tigers’ willingness to keep fighting after falling behind early.
“We did fight in it, and it was sweet. I love the fight,” Haire said. “Maty hit that two-run home run. That was good for us, and I think it’s just a good lesson for us to move forward, trying to dig in deep.”
Clark County did not allow the momentum to remain with Scotland County for long. Addie Yoder walked to begin the bottom of the third, Maggie Wheeler was hit by a pitch and Taralynn Little singled to load the bases. Nixon then drew a walk to force Yoder home and restore a two-run advantage.
Both teams went in order during the fourth, with Morss and Musgrove settling into their best rhythm of the evening. Scotland County’s defense also received an early boost from Ailea Hayes, who doubled in the second inning before being stranded. Defensively, Clark County shortstop Shatley caught a line drive and doubled a runner off first to end that threat.
The Lady Tigers made another push in the fifth. Musgrove worked a one-out walk, and Elenbaas followed with a single through the left side. After Buford was retired, Hamlin singled to bring Ambrose home and pull Scotland County within 4-3.
The tying run reached third and the go-ahead run stood at second later in the inning, but Morss escaped by striking out Hayes with the bases loaded. That proved to be one of the game’s defining moments, as Clark County again responded immediately at the plate.
Emma Pitford walked to open the bottom of the fifth, while Wheeler was hit by a pitch two batters later. With two outs, Nixon hit a slow ground ball toward third, but the throw sailed wide of first and allowed Pitford to score. Wheeler came home on a passed ball before Perry lined an RBI single into left field, stretching the Lady Indians’ lead from one run to four at 7-3.
Clark County head coach Megan Claiborne said the Lady Indians had struggled at the plate following a pair of losses the previous weekend but began rediscovering their approach Thursday.
“I think that our kids have kind of struggled at bats since our Saturday couple losses, and I think that tonight they started trying to find them again,” Claiborne said. “They got the dub. They scored when we needed to, and I think that’s the important part here.”
Morss retired Scotland County in order in the sixth, and the Lady Indians added their final two runs in the bottom half. Shatley and Morss opened the inning with consecutive singles before Pitford walked to load the bases. Musgrove worked through the next two hitters without allowing a run, but Little dropped a two-out single into shallow center to score Shatley and Morss for a 9-3 advantage.
Scotland County continued battling in the seventh. Musgrove singled to begin the inning, and Elenbaas reached on an error before Hamlin’s ground ball resulted in another defensive miscue that loaded the bases with two outs. Miller was hit by a pitch to force Elenbaas home, bringing the Lady Tigers within five and putting the potential tying run on deck.
Morss ended the threat by inducing a ground ball to Shatley, who threw across the diamond to Pitford for the final out.
Morss allowed six hits and four runs, three earned, over seven innings. She walked four, struck out six and threw 124 pitches while also leading Clark County offensively with three hits and a run scored.
Claiborne said the sophomore continues to grow into her role in the circle.
“She does a fantastic job when she gets out there in the circle,” Claiborne said. “We’ve got to build up her confidence and remind her that she can do it and she’s got it. She does a great job for us.”
Perry finished with two hits, two runs and an RBI, while Little drove in two runs. Nixon reached base three times on walks, scored twice and collected an RBI despite finishing without a hit. Cabell Palmer doubled, and Shatley and Pitford each added a hit and scored once.
Musgrove went the distance for Scotland County in difficult conditions, throwing 125 pitches over six innings. She allowed eight hits and nine runs, but only two were earned, while walking six and striking out two. At the plate, Musgrove reached in all four appearances with two hits and two walks.
Haire praised Musgrove’s determination while also acknowledging that Scotland County’s defense needed to provide more support. Three Lady Tiger errors contributed to seven unearned runs.
“She steps into it with determination and just the will to keep going and fighting,” Haire said. “I’m really proud of how she worked. I would like to see our defense help her out a little bit more, but it’s one of our first regular-season games, so I’m hoping that we can grow from it and learn from it.”
Buford supplied Scotland County’s two-run homer, while Hamlin recorded a hit and an RBI. Elenbaas had a hit and scored twice, and Hayes doubled and drove in the Lady Tigers’ final run.
Photo courtesy for this story provided by Hometown Journal
(This game recap is presented based upon the coverage of the Hometown Radio Sports Network. Any statistics given should be deemed as unofficial.)
