Oran's timely hitting dooms Chaffee 8-1

sports@standard-democrat.com

ORAN -- The Oran Lady Eagles have had some bad luck in coming up with hits with runner's in scoring position as of late.

On Thursday, that all changed.

With eight hits and eight runs to show for it, the Lady Eagles took care of the Chaffee Lady Devils 8-1 at Oran High School.

"We've changed the lineup just about every game and we're going to have to look at it," Oran coach Wade Sanders said. "We had fewer left on base today and I think that's why we had eight runs instead of two or three."

Though Oran stranded four runners in their six innings at the dish, they struck early with three runs in the bottom of the first.

Molly McConnell began the inning with a single which was followed by a double by Bailey Carlyle, who finished the day with two hits and two RBIs.

Taylor Nenninger later reached base safely on one of Chaffee's six errors.

Standing on third base, Carlyle scored a run on a passed ball. During that play at the plate, the ball got away from Chaffee pitcher Taylor Fodge which allowed Nenninger to take home as well.

"Not a whole lot of defense to be honest with you," Chaffee coach Shawn Powderly said. "(Oran) swung them well but we had a lot of chances to make plays and we just didn't make them. Lately, we've been playing much better defense. We kind of reverted back to earlier in the year."

Chaffee scored their first and only run in the second inning when Fodge led off the inning with a double. She later scored when Cierra Crites, who finished with three singles, drove her in.

Although Chaffee (4-6) has had their luck at the plate so far this season, they managed eight hits without stringing them together.

Oran's defense and their starting pitcher, Morgan Todt had a bit to do with that.

"We've been getting a ton of hits all year and I fully expected us to come out and get hits," Powderly said. "I give credit to their pitcher and their defense played great. They made some very good plays on some hard hit balls."

The Lady Eagles committed just two errors while playing a solid infield. Todt allowed just one runner to advance to third after the second inning.

"She did well," said Sanders about Todt. "She does what we ask of her. If she can just get the ball over, I think we have a good defense to back her up. She goes out everyday and gives me all she's got.

"She's not going to overpower anyone so we just want them to put it in play."

Addie Kielhofner, Carlyle and Nenninger all ended up with two hits apiece for Oran (5-4). Kielhofner chipped in a triple while Carlyle added a double.

Adrienne Eichhorn added two hits for Chaffee as well.

Chaffee 010 000 0 -- 1 8 6

Oran 320 300 x -- 8 8 2

WP -- Morgan Todt. LP -- Taylor Fodge. 2B -- (O) Bailey Carlyle. (C) Fodge. 3B -- (O) Addie Kielhofner.