Newcastle tops KHS 2-0 in 4A-1 duel
LARRY HART (left), a former KHS head and assistant football coach, was the honorary captain during last week’s game and handled the coin toss. [Photo by KHS Photography/www.khsphotography.smugmug.com]
Kingfisher’s softball team went toe-to-toe with one of the state’s best Monday before coming up just short.
Newcastle plated a pair of unearned runs in the fourth inning to earn a 2-0 victory over the visiting Lady Jackets in a District 4A-1 contest.
The Lady Racers are the defending state champs and now sport an 8-1 district record. They’re joined at the top by Cushing, which is 7-1.
The Lady Jackets dropped to 4-5 in the district entering Tuesday night’s home game with Blackwell (after press time), good for fourth place.
Olivia Wilcox and Newcastle’s Emma Strange were locked in a pitcher’s duel much like they were on Aug. 31 in Kingfisher.
And, just like that first contest, Newcastle couldn’t score a run until the fourth inning.
A walk followed by an attempted sacrifice bunt and throwing error by KHS landed two Lady Racers in scoring position.
Meredith Strange delivered a single to score both runners.
The teams’ first showdown ended up 11-1 in Newcastle’s favor, but Wilcox didn’t let the Lady Racers erupt this time around.
She got out of the rest of the inning and didn’t allow a Lady Racer past first base the rest of the night.
However, Kingfisher couldn’t crack Emma Strange’s arm at the right time.
Despite out-hitting Newcastle 7-6, the Lady Jackets couldn’t push a run home.
“We just couldn’t get that key hit,” coach Danny Green said.
The Lady Jackets were 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position.
Wilcox had three of Kingfisher’s hits while Jodie Hill was 2 for 3.
Natalie Dick and Emma Lukasek had one hit apiece.
Wilcox allowed six hits, walked four and struck out two.
“She really pitched a good game and put us in position to win,” Green said.
KHS was 19-9 overall after the loss.