Softball drops MEC contest to Benton

PHIL COBB/DAILY FORUM
Maryville Spoofhound freshman catcher Emma Baldwin records a force out at home with the bases loaded in the top of the third inning as the umpire makes the call. Maryville lost to the Benton Cardinals, 14-0, in the Midland Empire Conference game.

The Maryville Spoofhounds softball team managed just three hits in a 14-0 loss to Benton in Midland Empire Conference action Tuesday afternoon at the Maryville High School softball field.

Benton used 11 hits and eight walks to defeat the host Lady Hounds by the 10-run rule in five innings.

Spoofhound senior Amanda Volner was the starting pitcher, going just two innings. Maryville freshman Jacklyn Hersh came on to pitch the third, fourth, and fifth frames.

Benton’s first two batters of the game scored to make the score 2-0 right away, but Volner settled in and held the damage to a minimum with the help of some solid infield defense.

With just one down and the bases loaded, Maryville junior third baseman Meghan Yarnell fielded a grounder from Benton junior Taylor Beers and fired a strike to freshman catcher Emma Baldwin for a force out, effectively killing the Benton rally.

Maryville junior center fielder Abbie Greeley smacked a single in the bottom of the first inning, but was left stranded.

Benton came back with three more runs in the second inning, four in the third, and one in the fourth on a home run over the left field fence by junior Cheyenne Jackson. Three more Benton baserunners scored in the fifth.

Maryville did not reach base again until a two-out single by junior outfielder Amanda Frueh in the bottom of the fifth and final inning.

Baldwin then knocked a double to the outfield fence, putting runners at second and third with two outs, but both were left on base.

Benton senior pitcher Cassidy Ellis threw all five innings for the visiting Cardinals, striking out eight Maryville batters while allowing no walks.

Maryville now stands at 2-7 overall and 1-2 in the MEC.

The Lady Spoofhounds will compete at the Stanberry Tournament Saturday.

PHIL COBB/DAILY FORUM
Maryville Spoofhound junior center fielder Abbie Greeley connects on one of just three hits her team was able to record against Benton in a 14-0 loss Thursday.