Lady Pioneers pour 44 runs over two games in opening series

February 11, 2022

by Dustin Semore, Sports Information Director

HOLLY SPRINGS, Miss. – Crowley's Ridge softball crossed the plate 22 times in each game of Friday's doubleheader to defeat Rust (Miss.) College. 

Game One (5 inn.)

Crowley's Ridge - 22

Rust - 0

The Lady Pioneers (1-0) had 12 different batters record hits in a game that began with a nine-run first inning. After a couple of bases-loaded walks and hit-by-pitches, Lacey Lambright-Southern hit a two-run double in her season's first at-bat. April Kennedy, Shelby Elrod, and Dru Bryant would follow with RBI two-baggers of their own.

The Rust (0-1) pitching staff gave up 24 hits in the game, with Bailey Jones' third-inning double being the only other extra-base hit for the Lady 'Neers.

In the circle, freshman Halea Wells tossed a four-hit shutout, walking four while fanning 10.

Kennedy led the Lady 'Neers by going a perfect 3-3 from the plate while driving in three. Elrod, Bryant, Rachel Russell, Kylie Cox, Layne Tedder, Lambright-Southern, Piper Farmer, and Jones all tallied two hits each. Jones and Farmer both drove in four runs in the rout.

Game Two (5 inn.)

Crowley's Ridge - 22

Rust - 0

Shelby Elrod entered the circle for the first time as a Lady Pioneer, allowing two hits in a shutout win. Elrod punched out eight batters and walked two.

Setting the tone early, Crowley's Ridge (2-0) crossed the plate eight times in the opening frame of game two. RBI doubles from Dru Bryant, April Kennedy, Lacey Lambright-Southern, and Rachel Russell pushed runs across early and often. 

The extra-base hits continued to flow into the second inning with Kennedy roping her second two-bagger of the game, driving in Layne Tedder.

A wild play occurred in the top of the fifth inning, when McKenzie Crofford and Maddie Reed stood on second and third, respectively. Piper Farmer popped into an infield fly to be immediately called out. When the Rust fielder was unable to haul the ball in, Crofford and Reed took advantage of the infield fly rule that allows runners to advance at their own peril. In the confusion, both runners wrapped around to score. (For those keeping score at home - those are both RBIs for Farmer, but is not considered a sacrifice fly).

Russell, Tedder, Kennedy, Jones, and Lambright-Southern each posted a pair of hits in game two. Kennedy and Russell led the run production by driving in three runs.

Up Next

Crowley's Ridge will host Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.) University for a Valentine's Day home opener on Monday, February 14. The doubleheader's game one first pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.