The Platte County softball team extended its strong start to the season with a 14-4 victory on Sept. 2 by taking down Oak Park as the Pirates bring their season record to 5-2.
The Pirates set the tone early with five runs from six hits in the first two innings to take a quick lead. Avery Webster, Abby Reynolds, Ali Gill and Demi Riechers got the Pirates offense rolling in the opening inning as they all had hits.
TaKayla Lawson had a 2-RBI single in the top of the second inning to extend Platte County’s lead to 5-0. Oak Park responded with four runs in its ensuing trip to the plate to narrow the deficit, 5-4.
The Lady Pirates, above right, take a time-out and regroups amongst themselves.
Platte County’s starting pitcher Mackenzie Shields finished out the third inning before being relieved by Kallie Hitzelberger, and the Pirate defense didn’t allow another run by Oak Park for the rest of the contest. Shields ended with one strike-out and Hitzelberger struck out two batters.
After the Pirate’s lead was chipped at, they responded with two more runs in the fourth inning when Gill had a 2-RBI single. Leading 9-4, Platte County poured seven more runs in on the final two innings that resulted in the double-digit victory.
Six Platte County players ended with two hits each as it had 14 total on the day. Riechers ended with a team-high three RBIs while Lawson and Shields had two RBIs each.
The Pirates didn’t have any errors and took advantage of Oak Park’s five errors. Platte County will head to St. Joseph’s Central to take on the Indians today at 4 p.m.