Lady ‘Cats take home a win on Home Senior Night

On Monday, September 21, 2020 the Madill Wildcats Women’s Fast-Pitch Softball team hosted seniors’ night at home against Marietta. The Wildcats started the first inning on the field, and they were relentless from the beginning allowing only one runner to score during Marietta’s at bat.

The final out to end Marietta’s at bat was thanks to Madill freshman Dez Kerley, #4 who stopped a home base steal with a tag out. The Wildcats took full advantage of their time at bat by setting up for a good scoring inning. Starting with senior Abbey Tiernan, #6 who was first to get on base quickly followed by Kerley.

Sophomore Peyton Arnold, #20, made a hit which cost her an out at first but, allowed Kerley and Tiernan to touch home for two points putting them in an early lead. Junior Jaeda Townsend, #10, managed a well-executed bunt to land her on first which led to her stealing second before senior Ximena Gomez, #13, hit deep into center field allowing Townsend to make it from second to home extending their lead 3-1.

The top of the second inning was not an easy one for Marietta; it was there time at bat. Arnold made quick work on the pitch with two outs at first base and a strike out. Junior Cheyenne Lansdale, #12, a switch hitter who played on a sprained wrist, was forced to bunt while she is at bat. That made no difference to her because she made her way to first base.

While sophomore Emilie Johnson, #23 was at bat Lansdale helped herself to second followed by third before Johnson made a hit to bring Lansdale home and allow Johnson to take first base. The inning was ended with a fly ball catch which left the score 4-1.

Inning three was uneventful for the Madill offense, but not their defense. Marietta managed one run before a fly ball catch by Johnson and a toss to Townsend at second led to a double play and three outs for Marietta.

Inning 4 was not kind to either team; the only point added to the score was by Marietta. Inning 5 was exceptionally good to Madill on both offense and defense. Marietta managed no runs during their at bat. Offense for the Wildcats was much like the first inning with runs by Johnson, Tiernan, and Kerley putting them up 7-3 over Marietta.

The sixth inning was particularly good for Marietta as they managed four runs but were stopped by the Wildcats before they could break the tie. In the final inning of normal play, neither team let the other break the tie for senior’s night which led to overtime.

For inning 8, the Wildcats got their second wind allowing them to maintain the tie with a strong defense leaving the top of the 8 ^th still 7-7. As Madill took their at bat, it almost seemed as though the inning would look much like the last until Townsend makes a huge hit landing her all the way on third base. Gomez also managed a base hit which leaves Townsend stuck at third. While junior Krislyn Anderson, #15, is at bat, she hit the ball perfectly and made it to second. Instantaneously, Townsend was tagged out at home, leaving Gomez at third. Lansdale struggled while at bat at first, until deciding to switch-hit. This instant decision was a huge gain for Madill as the final pitch bounced off of the catcher and they lost sight of it allowing Gomez to steal home for an 8-7 win.

Softball Coach Brett Vann said the game was a victory for all.

“It was a huge win for the girls, Madill, and the seniors,” Vann.

The game marks the 8 ^th win for the Wildcats fast-pitch softball team this year.