Lady Eagles Softball Team Rallies Against Knob Noster

The Holden softball team recorded a comeback win on the road over Knob Noster by the final score of 5-3 on Tuesday, Sept. 5, as the Lady Eagles opened conference play with a victory.

With the score tied at 3-3, Lady Eagle centerfielder Macey Greene sparked a two-run seventh inning for Holden by hitting a one-out double. Holden shortstop Addy Campbell singled to score Greene. Lilee Keller plated Campbell on a single for the final run scored in the back-and-forth contest.

“Macey had a huge double with one out in the seventh, tied 3-3,” said Holden softball coach Jeff Smith. “It was definitely good to see her put a ball on the ground and use her speed. She has also been an amazing outfielder for us this year playing both center and left. Addy Campbell and Lilee Keller had the two big two-out hits for RBIs that scored Macey and Addy to take the lead.

“Knob played a really good game,” added coach Smith. “They made some exceptional plays and turned two double plays on us that were big momentum killers. They have definitely improved, and their pitcher kept us off balance most of the night.”

After Knob Noster pitcher Kylie Miller held Holden scoreless through the top of the first inning, the Lady Panthers produced two runs in the bottom of the inning which were aided by Lady Eagle errors.

A triple by Lady Eagle Olivia Wooster in the top of the second inning led to Holden’s first run of the game. Wooster would cross home plate on passed ball.

The second run of the game for Holden came on a single by Keller that scored Lady Eagle pitcher Jazzy Brown in the top of the third inning.

Knob Noster would regain the lead with a run scored in the bottom of the fourth inning before Holden tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the sixth inning when Keller scored on a passed ball. Greene would start Holden’s rally to take the lead in the top of the seventh inning.

Knob Noster put two runners on in the bottom of the seventh but failed to score. After base runner Ella Goodrich was caught stealing, Brown recorded a strikeout to end the game with Miller stranded on third.

“They did hit well off of us, but luckily Jazzy buckled down when she had runners in scoring position and left multiple runners stranded,” said coach Smith.

Brown worked a complete game in the win. She recorded 9 strikeouts while allowing 6 hits, and 3 walks, and no earned runs.

Keller ended the game with 2 hits and 2 RBIs. Campbell had 1 hit and 1 RBI. Olivia Wooster totaled 2 hits. Greene and Jazzy Brown each had 1 hit.

Nine runs scored in the bottom of the first inning by Holden against the visiting Lexington Minutewomen led to a run-rule shortened home win for the Lady Eagles by the final score of 16-1 on Thursday, Sept. 7.

Lexington plated one run in the top of the second inning before Holden added four runs in the bottom of the second and ended the game by run rule with three runs in the bottom of the third frame.

“This was definitely a game that the whole team made contributions,” said coach Smith as reserve players trickled into the game in the last two innings.

“Non-starters Jenna McHenry, Alyssa Agcopra, and Drew Turner all came up with hits in what was some of their first varsity at bats,” highlighted coach Smith who also commented on the contributions of Adasyn Yoder who has regularly filled the role of courtesy runner this season. “Ady Yoder has been a tremendous asset to the team. She has provided speed on the base paths in every game that we have played. She is a backup catcher and is always catching our pitchers as they warm up in the bullpen and between innings. She can also play the outfield and is on the verge of having a starting role at both outfield and catcher.”

Abby Sisk earned the win on the mound for Holden as the Lady Eagles recorded their second MRVC-East win in as many tries.

“Abby pitched a great game with eight strikeouts in three innings of work,” said coach Smith. “I believe only four balls were put into play off Abby.

“We have been pitching by committee so far this season,” added coach Smith in regard to Sisk, Lilee Keller, Jazzy Brown, and Olivia Wooster’s contributions on the mound. “It is a luxury to have four pitchers that are capable of starting for nearly any team we play. We will continue to pitch by committee throughout the majority of the season and play the hot hand at district time.”

Versus Lexington Haley Brooks and McHenry each totaled 2 hits and 2 RBIs. Sisk had 2 hits and 1 RBI. Faith Brown and Addy Campbell each had 1 hit and 2 RBIs. Olivia Wooster, Jazzy Brown, and Drew Turner each had 1 hit and 1 RBI. Macy Greene recorded 2 hits with Agcopra and Olivia Wooster each chipping in 1 hit. Clara Ferguson contributed 1 RBI.