Sikeston bunts past Lady Rams

Sophomore Madison Chaney sparks SHS rally

sd_sports@yahoo.com

SCOTT CITY -- Sikeston's Madison Chaney didn't even get to finish warmups. Her session before their game against the Scott City Lady Rams on Monday abruptly ended, when a ball from the outfield skipped across the dirt and nailed her squarely in the nose while covering third base.

"I went to scoop it but it just popped up and hit me right in the nose," said Chaney. "This is like my first nose bleed ever."

Although she didn't get the chance to finish warmups or bat the first time through the lineup, Chaney came back, with nose plugs and all, and became the spark that prompted a 5-run inning for the Lady Bulldogs during Sikeston's 5-1 win against the Scott City Lady Rams in Scott City.

"When (Chaney's accident) happened it was a letdown," Sikeston head coach Tiffany Morgan said. "But, (Chaney) is a go-getter and offensive wise, she's really been working well at the plate. Today, she showed some spark over there at third."

Chaney continued her bunting prowess in the fifth inning using her blazing speed to reach first base becoming the Lady Bulldogs' first runner on in the inning.

"Madison is one of the quickest girls around," Morgan said. "That's always a big plus. You know she's going to beat just about any throw out. It's a little extra."

Chaney was eventually brought all the way around by another bunt from Sydney Davied to break the scoreless tie.

A bases loaded walk to Katie Hines and a bunt by Sydney King scored two more runs while a single from Sarah Hopson made it 4-0 Sikeston.

Chaney, again, came up with a successful bunt scoring HInes on a fielder's choice giving the Lady Bulldogs their five runs on the day.

"That fifth inning, we showed some spark," said Morgan. "We controlled our bats, bunt wise, running the bases, everything. We just executed very well that inning. The girls have seen now what the little bunt can do. It can win games for you and that's what it did for us."

Chaney led the Lady Bulldogs with a 3-for-3 performance at the plate; each hit being a bunt.

"I've been working really hard on my bunts," said Chaney. "I know about 95 percent of the time I'm going to be safe because of my speed."

Julie Holder kept the pace for Scott City (11-8) with two hits. Holder's second hit was an RBI double to center that scored Brittany Kiefer in the bottom of the seventh inning.

"They put the ball in play and we didn't make the plays we needed to," Scott City head coach Amy Pobst said. "They took advantage. We just had that one inning where we didn't make the plays."

Hopson, who added two hits on the day, received the win for Sikeston (9-7) pitching all seven innings. Becky Burger was given the loss for the Lady Rams.

Chaney's first play back on the field following her accident during warmups, Holder sent a screaming line drive right towards the sophomore's head. Chaney quickly reacted to snag it out of the air reassuring her return to the field.

"I thought I was hit in the face again," she said.

Sikeston 000 050 0 -- 5

Scott City 000 000 1 -- 1

WP -- Sarah Hopson. LP -- Becky Burger. Multiple hitters -- (S) Hopson 2-5, Madison Chaney 3-3, Sydney Davied 2-3; (SC) Julie Holder 2-4. 2B -- (SC) Holder.