Lady Eagles go unbeaten in TVC Hocking

TUPPERS PLAINS — Why share, when you can keep the whole thing for yourself?

Eastern softball was feeling a little greedy Tuesday night in its Tri-Valley Conference Hocking Division finale against visiting Trimble, winning the league outright and finishing unbeaten by posting a 6-0 victory at Don Jackson Field.

The Lady Eagles (14-3, 10-0 TVC Hocking) had already clinched a share of the TVC Hocking crown headed into Tuesday night, and the Lady Tomcats (14-5, 8-2 TVC Hocking) were the only team that could prevent the hosts from winning outright.

EHS, however, left little doubt about who the eventual victor would be, as starter Kasey Turley limited the guests to just two hits while Eastern jumped out to a 5-0 edge through three complete. The Green and White tacked on another run in the sixth and produced a total of nine hits in the decision.

For Eastern, it completes the team’s youthful resurrection — there is only one senior — this season while also marking the program’s first TVC Hocking title since 2004.

The Lady Eagles struck first blood in the bottom of the second as a leadoff single by Allie Rawson turned into fruition later when Sami Cummins delivered a two-out RBI double for a 1-0 advantage.

The big breakout came in the third, when the hosts sent nine batters to the plate — which resulted in four runs on three hits, an error and a walk. Brooke Johnson started the rally by reaching on a leadoff error, then Haylee Gillian was walked to give EHS two baserunners with nobody out.

Brenna Holter followed with a single to load the bases, then Rawson delivered an RBI single one batter later to make it a 2-0 contest. Turley followed with the team’s third consecutive single, which plated Gillian for a 3-0 edge.

Britney Morrison hit into a fielder’s choice, which allowed Holter to score for a 4-0 lead. Cummins, with one out, also grounded into a fielder’s choice — allowing Rawson to score for a 5-0 cushion through three complete.

Then in the sixth, Holter delivered a two-out single and scored one batter later when Rawson doubled — concluding the score at 6-0.

Holter and Rawson both had three hits in the triumph, followed by Cummins with two and and Turley with one. Cummins and Rawson both led EHS with two RBIs, while the duo of Turley and Morrison added one RBI each.

Sierra Lenigar had both hits for the Lady Tomcats, who also committed two errors in the setback. EHS committed only one miscue. Kaitlyn Walton was the losing pitcher of record, allowing two walks and striking out nine over six innings.

Turley was the winning pitcher of record, allowing three walks and fanning a dozen over seven frames. It was also Senior Night for Hope Bland, the Lady Eagles’ lone upperclassmen.

Eastern 6, Trimble 0

Trimble 000 000 0 — 0 2 2

Eastern 014 001 x — 6 9 1

WP — Turley; LP — Walton.

* * *

Eastern wins TVC Hocking outright

TUPPERS PLAINS — Why share, when you can keep the whole thing for yourself?

Eastern baseball was feeling a little greedy Tuesday night in its Tri-Valley Conference Hocking Division home finale against visiting Trimble, winning the league outright by posting a 7-1 victory in Meigs County.

The Eagles (17-5, 9-0 TVC Hocking) had already clinched a share of the TVC Hocking crown headed into Tuesday night, and a win over the Tomcats would assure the hosts of their first outright title since 2002. EHS responded by limiting the guests to just two hits, while pounding out eight overall in the triumph.

Eastern never trailed in the contest, jumping out to a 1-0 lead in the first after Tyler Hendrix led the inning off with a triple. Hendrix scored one batter later when Nick Brannon hit an RBI sacrifice fly to right.

EHS added to its lead in the third, as Hendrix again led off the frame with a triple. Brannon followed with a walk, then got himself caught up in a rundown so that Hendrix could score — making it a 2-0 contest after three complete.

The Eagles’ big explosion came in the fourth, when the hosts erupted for four scores on five hits and two errors for a 6-0 cushion. Andrew Benedum and Kyle Connery delivered back-to-back one-out doubles, which allowed Benedum to cross home plate for a 3-0 edge.

Ben Buckley followed with a single, but was forced out when Christian Amsbary grounded into a fielder’s choice for the second out of the inning. Hendrix delivered his third consecutive triple to plate both Connery and Amsbary, making it a 5-0 game. Brannon drove Hendrix in one batter later with a single, completing the rally at 6-0.

Trimble plated its lone run in the top of the fifth when Kish doubled to start the inning, then stole third and scored on a fielder’s choice — making it a 6-1 contest.

Eastern added its final run of the night in the sixth, as Connery walked to start the inning and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Brannon — concluding the game at its six-run outcome.

Titus Pierce was the winning pitcher of record, allowing zero hits and only two baserunners over three innings while striking out two. Buckley worked the final four innings of relief, allowing two hits and zero walks while fanning three.

Chesser took the loss for THS, allowing eight hits and three walks over six innings while striking out zero. Trimble also had two errors in the setback, one more than the hosts.

Hendrix led the Eagles with three hits, followed by Brannon, Pierce, Benedum, Connery and Buckley with one safety apiece. Brannon led the offense with three RBIs, followed by Hendrix with two. Kish had both hits for Trimble.

Eastern still has one TVC Hocking road game remaining against Waterford before league play is completed.

Eastern 7, Trimble 1

Trimble 000 010 0 — 1 2 2

Eastern 101 401 x — 7 8 1

WP — Pierce; LP — Chesser.