Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PROCTORVILLE — What late start?

Fairland’s run to the state basketball tournament put about half of the Lady Dragons’ softball team behind schedule preparing for the current season.

The lack of work wasn’t noticeable on the offensive side as the Lady Dragons banged out 15 hit in a 7-2 win over the Gallipolis Blue Angels on Tuesday.

“We hit the ball really well today,” said Fairland coach Mindy Clark. “We’re a little behind because of basketball. We have some things to work on.”

Ellen Hinshaw was 3-4 with a home run and two runs batted in to lead the onslaught.

Mollie Morris was 3-4 with a triple, Mackenzie Riley 3-3 with an RBI and Maddy Kazee 2-4 with a double.

Allison Shepherd posted her second straight win as she pitched a two-hitter.

Clark said Shepherd is a different pitcher than the one who was forced to be the team’s starter last year due to an injury to then-ace Chandler Fulks.

“(Shepherd) is more relaxed and more confident now. She worked hard to get better over the winter,” said Clark.

Fairland (2-0) took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on singles by Morris, Hinshaw and Riley.

Gallipolis tied the game in the top of the fourth on two walks and two errors.

But Fairland answered with four runs in the bottom of the inning.

Morgan Fridley and Morris singled, Caitlin Stone doubled them home and then scored on Hinshaw’s two-run homer.

A run scored in the fifth when Morris tripled and came home on a passed ball.

The final run scored in the sixth.

Hinshaw and Riley singled and Montana Runnels and Shepherd both walked.

The Lady Dragons host Green on Thursday and visit Ironton on Monday.

Gallipolis 000 110 0 = 2 2 2

Fairland 001 411 x = 7 15 3

Hitting–Gallipolis: Kimberly Edelmann 1-3, Loveday 1-2; Fairland: Mollie Morris 3-4 3B, Caitlin Stone 1-4 rbi-2 2B, Ellen Hinshaw 3-4 HR rbi-2, Mackenzie Riley 3-3 rbi, Tiffani Christian 1-4, Allison Shepherd 1-3 rbi, Maddy Kazee 2-4 2B, Morgan Fridley 1-4.

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Fairland 12, New Boston 1, 5 inn.

WP–Allison Shepherd (K-7, BB-7, HBP-1). Fairland hitting: Ellen Hinshaw 2-2 rbi-4 2B, Maddy Kazee 1-3, Morgan Fridley 1-1. New Boston pitchers walked 13 batters.