Playing their season opener at home Thursday night, the Lady Pioneers quickly fell into a 3-0 deficit as the Shelbyville Central Lady Golden Eagles jumped to a first-inning lead they never relinquished, taking home the game by a final score of 7-3.
“It was a tough night all around for our girls pitching, defense, base running, and hitting,” said Warren County coach Gooby Martin. “To be able to win games this year we will have to pitch better, field better, and get some timely hits.”
“Those are things we will continue to work on throughout this season. I have a great group of hard-working girls and this is just one game in a long season. We have a rematch Monday in Shelbyville and we will be ready to compete and try to get a win,” Martin said.
The Lady Golden Eagles were able to extend their lead in the top of the third inning after hitting a double to right field, followed by two ground ball outs which allowed a run to score, 4-0.
The Lady Pioneer offense got moving in the bottom of the third, as it put 2 runs on the scoreboard. Kyra Hillis was lead-off batter hitting a fly ball to right field for a single. Makenna Mason hit first base on a fielder’s choice then advanced to second on a wild pitch.
Hailey Wood drove Mason home on a hard grounder to left field, 4-1, followed by Wood scoring on a passed ball after stealing third, 4-2. The only other score for the Lady Pioneers came in the sixth inning as Ashton Whiles smacked a home run over the left-field fence.
The Lady Pioneers split the pitching duties as Maddie Cantrell took the mound first with 5 hits, 4 runs, 0 strikeouts and 1 walk. Whiles entered in relief with 3 hits, 3 runs, 2 strikeouts and 1 walk.
Wood and Hope Mullican led the Lady Pioneer hitting statistics with 2 hits apiece and Whiles and Kyra Hillis both had 1 hit each. Scoring runs were Wood, Whiles and Mason.
The Lady Pioneers next game is on the road in Shelbyville on Monday. Game time is 5:30 p.m. Their next home game will be Monday, March 27, as they play host to White County. Game time is 5 p.m.