LHS softball keeps rolling with 14-1 win at Hamilton County
JASPER, Fla. — Things are starting to fall into place for the Lafayette High softball team.
The Hornets defeated Hamilton County 14-1 on Thursday to pick up their fifth win in the last six games.
Haley Ellefson struck out 15, Richelle McDonald had two hits and two RBIs and LHS took control of the game with a five-run fourth inning. The Hornets have excelled with pitching and defense — giving up just six runs combined in their last six games — and it was more of the same on Thursday.
“We’re trying to be a little more consistent on the defensive side,” said Lafayette coach Tommy Chambers, whose team’s only blemish during the last two weeks was a 2-1 loss to Class 1A No. 1 Trenton. “We know we’re going to have to play defense because we’re just not a real good hitting team.
“Richelle and Haley are doing a good job throwing the ball and keeping us in games.”
Hamilton County (7-9, 0-4) trailed just 1-0 after three innings with Cassidy Padgett throwing strikes and pitching well. But after Lafayette’s big fourth inning, it was going to be a tough task to mount a comeback with Ellefson in the circle.
“When you’re not hitting and you’re facing one of the best pitchers you’re going to face, that’s tough,” said HCHS coach Bobby Wintons. “We’re looking better — playing somewhat better defense — just not hitting.”
Ellefson didn’t allow a hit until the fourth inning when Malyn Hunter doubled to the gap in left-center field with two outs. Hunter came around to score Hamilton County’s only run.
Lafayette (11-8, 6-0) notched nine hits. Eighth grader McKenzie Winburn had two singles, Alexis Koch hit a triple and Charlie James reached base three times and drove in two runs.
UP NEXT: Both team are back in action tonight as Lafayette hosts Taylor County and Hamilton County hosts Rickards.
| R | H | E | ||||||||
| Lafayette | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 14 | 9 | 2 |
| Hamilton County | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
Ellefson — 1-4, 3 runs scored — 7 innings pitched, 15 strikeouts, 1 unearned run
McDonald — 2-5, double, RBI
Winburn — 2-4, 2 runs
Murray — 1-3, double
Barnes — 1-4, walk, 1 run
Koon — 1-1, 1 run
Koch — 1-1, triple, walk, 1 run
HCHS
Hunter — 1-3, double, run
Marshall — 1-3
Padgett — 7 innings pitched, 6 earned runs