QUEEN CITY, Mo. - Rory Gilworth tied her career high with 19 strikeouts, while Reagan Smith finished a home run shy of the cycle as Putnam County secured a 4-2 victory over Schuyler County on a cold, rainy Monday evening.
The Lady Midgets entered the night looking to reverse the result of their first meeting with Schuyler County. In that contest, Putnam County carried a 3-0 lead into the sixth inning before the Lady Rams rallied for a 4-3 walk-off victory. Putnam County once again built a three-run advantage Monday, but this time it weathered Schuyler County’s late charge.
“We’ve been in a lot of close-game situations where maybe we don’t handle that adversity very well,” Putnam County head coach Sara Webb said. “We did that tonight, and that’s what allowed us to win.”
The two junior pitchers controlled the game early. Gilworth struck out the side in each of the first two innings, while Schuyler County’s Maddison Severns limited Putnam County to one hit through the opening two frames.
The Lady Midgets broke the scoreless tie with three runs in the top of the third. Ava Perkins started the rally with a one-out single before Smith drove a ball into the right-center-field gap for an RBI triple.
Bela Lopez followed with a bunt and reached on an error during a rundown between third and home. Smith safely returned to third before scoring on Gilworth’s single up the middle. Bryna Hurley then put the ball in play to bring Lopez home, giving Putnam County a 3-0 advantage.
“That big inning where we brought in three runs through the top of the lineup, and then getting that extra insurance run in the top of the seventh, for sure helped,” Webb said. “It felt nice to get this bounce-back win against them and this bounce-back win in general after we’ve had kind of a rough four- or five-game stretch.”
Schuyler County quickly responded in the bottom half of the third. Maybelle Lusher drove a leadoff triple into right field and scored when Maddox Berry beat out an infield single. Gilworth recovered to prevent the Lady Rams from adding to the rally, preserving Putnam County’s 3-1 lead.
The pitchers settled back into control through the middle innings. Severns worked a perfect fifth and escaped a two-runner threat in the sixth, while Gilworth continued piling up strikeouts against the Schuyler County lineup.
As the mist developed into a steadier rain, the Lady Rams mounted their strongest comeback attempt in the bottom of the sixth. Halle Roberts and Berry opened the inning with consecutive walks before Greta Schoonover delivered an RBI single to right, trimming the deficit to 3-2. Berry advanced to third and Schoonover moved to second, placing the potential tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position with nobody out.
Gilworth responded when Putnam County needed her most. She struck out Jalee Snowbarger, Clara Dabney and Trinity Gray in succession, escaping the inning without allowing Schuyler County to pull even.
Putnam County restored its two-run cushion in the seventh. Smith lined a one-out double into right-center field, giving her a single, double and triple in four plate appearances. She later scored when a passed ball was followed by a throwing error, extending the Lady Midgets’ lead to 4-2.
Smith finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI after Webb moved the senior catcher into the leadoff position.
“I want her to get as many at-bats as she can,” Webb said. “She proved that tonight. She definitely executed, and it was just great.”
Schuyler County brought the potential tying run to the plate after Severns drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the seventh. Nicole Poe entered as a courtesy runner and stole second, but Gilworth struck out the next three batters to close the victory.
Gilworth recorded 19 of Putnam County’s 21 defensive outs by strikeout. The performance tied the career high she originally established during the Schuyler County Tournament last season.
“It's a great accomplishment.” Webb said. "She works hard, and I just love the way she attacks hitters, shows command and is definitely big for us in the circle.”
Gilworth completed all seven innings, allowing three hits and two runs while walking four. She also contributed an RBI single during Putnam County’s three-run third inning.
Smith accounted for half of the Lady Midgets’ six hits with her single, double and triple. Perkins, Gilworth and Riley Jones each added a single.
Lusher supplied Schuyler County’s biggest extra-base hit with her third-inning triple, while Berry and Schoonover each recorded an RBI single. Severns delivered a strong complete-game performance for the Lady Rams, allowing six hits and four runs while striking out eight without issuing a walk.
Putnam County improved to 5-7 and will return home to face Gallatin on Tuesday before traveling to South Harrison on Thursday. Schuyler County moved to 7-6 and begins a stretch of Lewis and Clark Conference games Tuesday at Salisbury before returning home to face Paris on Thursday.
(This game recap is presented based upon the coverage of the Hometown Radio Sports Network. Any statistics given should be deemed as unofficial.)
