Also, a look at the players who’ve contributed as the Lady Cols continue their quest for state
The Henderson County Lady Colonels Softball team wasted little time in getting on the scoreboard Monday evening. After a quiet first inning, the Lady Cols offense exploded for a nine-run second inning, leading to a 13-0 shutout victory over its district rivals, the Webster County Lady Trojans.
After Pacey Parker scored the game’s first run, Raylee Stanley doubled to center field, bringing home Maggie Grogan and Jacelyn Wallace. Stanley came home on a sacrifice fly by Braylin Risley to make it 4-0.
After a Jersey Gardner single, Ayden Bennett’s line drive scored the courtesy runner Brynna Alvey. Bennett stole second before a third straight single by Saniya Shields allowed her to score. Shields advanced to third after a steal and passed ball.
Mackenzie Burczyk then delivered the most exciting runs of the game by blasting a two-run home run over the left field wall.
After a pitching change for Webster County, Lilly Bennett drew a walk. Parker, the courtesy runner, reached third on a passed ball and stolen base, allowing her to score easily on a sac fly by Grogan. That would cap the scoring and extend the lead to 9-0 after the bottom of the second inning.
Risley scored on a Jersey Gardner double in the bottom of the third. Then in the fourth, Grogan drove in Paityn Haire with a single before eventually scoring on a passed ball. The last run for the Lady Cols came on a triple by Risley that allowed Stanley to score and make it 13-0.
Henderson had 13 hits and went 8-for-8 on stolen base attempts. Risley finished 2-for-3 with a double and a triple with two RBI. Stanley was also 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBI. Grogan and Burczyk each collected two RBI as well.
Lilly Bennet was credited with the win, striking out two over two no-hit innings. Kenley Evans would finish the shutout, pitching three innings, allowing just one hit while striking out four.
The Lady Cols moved to 13-4 on the season, though still undefeated against teams from Kentucky. They will return to action Wednesday evening as they go on the road to face Tecumseh in Lynnville, Indiana.
Youth and experience spark success for Lady Cols
Henderson’s success on the field has been due to a mixture of youth and experience this season. A bit of adversity has forced younger players into important roles earlier than expected.
“We’re struggling with hitting the ball early in the season,” head coach Shannon Troutman said. “The sport’s such a hard sport. You fail more than you succeed…I’ve got some strong upperclassmen that I’m going to kind of rely on, and hopefully, they’ll help get it fixed.”
Senior Ayden Bennett is one of those leaders hoping to keep the Lady Cols on track to reach the state tournament yet again. She currently leads the team with a .482 batting average, 28 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases.
“We’re good. We’re ready to go. We definitely struggled a little bit with slower pitching, but I think with just more practice and more mental training, we’ll get there,” Bennett said.
The team has also had to overcome a nagging injury to its ace Kamryn Timmons, as well an unexpected departure by last year’s starting third baseman.
Thus far, Timmons is 7-0 with a 1.22 ERA on the season. She has 76 strikeouts over 40 innings pitched, while allowing just 13 hits.
While she has rested to nurse a minor back injury, a couple of youngsters have gained valuable experience in her stead, while also delivering promising results.
Sophomore Lillian Bennett has handled most of those pitching duties, throwing 38 innings. She is 4-2 with a 1.84 ERA and 42 strikeouts. She also leads the team with six saves.
Seventh grader Kenley Evans has pitched 24.2 innings with a 2.27 ERA and 21 strikeouts.
Troutman spoke about the boost that Evans has provided to his team.
“She’s starting to mature a little bit, come into her own a little bit, and get rid of the nerves,” Troutman said. “So, if she stays the way she’s going, she’s going to really, really help us. She’s been a big, big help on the mound, that’s for sure.”
Another underclassman who has had to step up is eighth grader Jacelyn Wallace. She has had to cover third base and has been doing a solid job. Through 14 games played, she is hitting .273 and recorded her first varsity home run. She has committed just one error so far in the field.
“At first, I was obviously really nervous because I didn’t want to let the team down, but with all the girls having my back and being supportive, I really just feel comfortable out there now,” Wallace said.
To finish the season strong, Troutman knows that his team needs to get healthy, especially Timmons. He’s also hoping that his team’s passion continues to grow and motivate them through the most difficult part of their schedule.
“You just got to have passion for the game and passion for your team and passion for your county. And that’s got to come out in you,” Troutman said. “That’s what I’m wanting us to continue to get to is just to play the game with passion. Play it, play your heart out, and the other things will fall in place.”
Troutman is confident that his team will do that and compete for another state championship.
