Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

STEWART — Like a big first inning rally? Then the St. Joseph Lady Flyers had to love their first inning.
St. Joseph took charge immediately with 11 runs in the first inning as they went on to beat the Federal Hocking Lady Lancers 15-5 in six innings on Saturday.
Kelsey Malone walked, Alex Holtzapfel singled and Ashley Bartram walked to load the bases. Faith Mahlmeister singled in Malone and both Kaitlyn Sheridan and Emma Whaley walked to force home runs.
Ellie Cremeans and Paige Preston had RBI singles, Isabella Griffith walked to force in a run and Malone singled in Cremeans. Holtzapfel grounded out to drive in a run and Bartram singled in Griffith to end the rally.
The Lady Lancers got a run in the second and four in the third to trail 11-5.
After a scoreless fourth inning, St. Joseph scored two runs in each of the fifth and sixth innings.
The Lady Flyers got two runs in the fifth when Malone singled and stole second, Bartram got and RBI double and Sheridan singled in Bartram.
The lead went to 15-5 in the top of the sixth.
Preston walked and Malone doubled her home. Holtzapfel followed with an RBI single to cap the scoring.
Backed by solid defense, Malone set down nine straight batters to close out the game and created the run-rule win.
Malone worked five innings to get the win. She struck out six, walked six and for of the runs were earned.
Holtzapfel started but injured her back and was forced to leave the mound.
St. Joseph had 15 hits with Malone going 4-4 and Mahlmeister 3-3. Bartram was 2-3 and Holtzapfel 2-5.
St. Joseph (11)00 022 = 15 15 1
Fed. Hocking 014 000 = 5 5 0
Alex Holtzapfel, Kelsey Malone (2) and Kelsey Malone, Kaitlyn Sheridan (2). Taylor Clemens, Ashley Hill (1) and Simpson. W-Malone (IP-5.0, K-6, BB-6, ER-4). Holtzapfel (IP-1.0, K-1, BB-2). Hitting-SJ: Kelsey Malone 4-4, Faith Mahlmeister 3-3, Ashley Bartram 2-3, Alex Holtzapfel 2-5, Ellie Cremeans 1-3, Paige Preston 1-2, Kaitlyn Sheridan 1-4, Emma Whaley 1-4; FH: Mayle 2-3, Simpson 1-3, Clemens 1-3, Lemaster 1-3.