Lady Cats roll past Jacksonville

News-Times Staff

BENTON - El Dorado combined a strong pitching and defensive effort with 12 hits on offense and stepped over Jacksonville 10-1 Thursday morning in the 6A State Softball Tournament. The Lady Wildcats improved to 16-9 and will take on Sheridan today at 10 a.m.

El Dorado pitcher Grace Hargett took a no-hitter into the sixth inning. She settled for a two-hitter, striking out nine with five walks in seven innings.

“This is the second game in a row with no errors on defense and strong pitching in the circle,” said El Dorado coach Chris Ezell. “I’m really proud of how the girls are playing at this time of the season. Anytime you get good pitching and defense, you’ve got a chance to win a ball game.”

El Dorado scored two runs each in the third and fourth before blowing the game open with six in the seventh inning.

In the third, Kelsey Howard tripled.

Allyson Silmon walked and stole second.

Howard scored and Silmon went to third on an errant throw.

Larran Simmons followed with a RBI single.

Sally Walthall singled in the third and gave way to courtesy runner Ava Dunn.

Dunn advanced on a passed ball and stole third.

Howard drove her in with a single and then scored herself on a passed ball.

In the seventh, Marissa Rice singled.

Simmons sacrificed courtesy runner Sydni Crisalli to second.

Payton Scarlett singled and Walthall walked.

Grace Murry came up big with a two-run double.

Howard and Tristen Lewis both singled in runs and Silmon drove in a run with a double.

Howard led El Dorado, going 4-for-5 with two RBI.

She reached base on all five plate appearances. Silmon was 2-for-2 with three walks.

Simmons was 2-for-3.

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