Emily VanNatta threw a shutout against KCI rival Hamilton when the Hornets lost 11-0 to the West Platte softball team on Thursday, Sept. 23.
Following a scoreless opening inning, the Blue Jays got their bats rolling with six runs in the next two innings. After Madisyn Matlick singled in the bottom of the second inning, West Platte had four consecutive doubles to take a 4-0 lead.
West Platte’s Emily VanNatta struck out seven batters and didn’t allow any runs against Hamilton on Sept. 23.
Peyton Edmonds, Ashley Goodwin, Sam Baker and Laura Hill were the four Blue Jays with RBI doubles in the inning. In the next inning, Colby Shepardson had a two-run home run after Hailey Shepardson got on base with a single.
West Platte poured in five more runs in the fifth inning to take a demanding 11-0 lead and eventual victory. In the final inning, the Blue Jays had five batters hit the ball.
Colby Shepardson had an RBI double and Matlick stole home later in the inning. A base hit by Edmonds allowed Colby Shepardson to score.
The inning was capped off by a two RBI bunt from Baker to score Edmonds and Goodwin. West Platte ended with 14 hits in the contest, while only allowing six hits.
Goodwin was the top batter for the Blue Jays when the junior ended with three hits. Colby Shepardson and Baker both ended with two hits and three RBIs.
VanNatta was on the mound for the entire contest and struck out seven Hornet batters. The conference victory gave West Platte a 10-4 record on the season and the next game for the Blue Jays will be on Sept. 30, as West Platte is set to head to Plattsburg.