Mexico High School softball season opens

Another season of Mexico High School softball got off to a strong start Wednesday with the Lady Bulldogs posting a 10-0 short-game win Wednesday at NCMC rival Marshall.

"This was a great way to stsart the season. We came out ready to play and got the job done both offensively and defensively," MHS coach Christina Gerber said. "We didn't see a lot of first-game jitters."

The 2012 varsity opener lasted just five innings as Mexico scored one run in the first, seven in the second plus single runs in the third and fifth. Danielle Baumgartner went the distance for the Lady Bulldogs, striking out eight, walking one and allowing only one hit.

A Brooke Costley triple and an error on the Marshall catcher in the first produced the only run the Lady Bulldogs would need. Mexico put the Lady Owls away in the second with Victoria Shaw starting the inning with a single and stolen base.

Alison Mudd followed with a triple, an error on the play allowing her to score also. Baumgartner then reached on an error and Costley on a fielder's choice; both came home on an Anne Baker hit.

Haley Test reached base on an error, Abby Dick singled in Baker and Test and Shaw completed the scoring with a single to score Dick.

Mexico's other runs came when Karen Baker doubled and Baumgartner singled in the third and when Baker doubled in the fifth, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on an error.

The Lady Bulldogs rolled to a 17-0 JV win in two innings, coming up with six runs in the first with the help of Paityn House's inside-the-park homer, good for three, and 11 more in the second.

Karen Baker pitched the first inning and Laura Fischer the second for Mexico. Emilee Rodenbaugh and Fischer each had doubles, while Morgan Hall, House and Sydney Schutte all tripled.

The Lady Bulldogs continued NCMC play Tuesday in their V/JV home debut vs. Kirksville.

NORCAL: Key defensive plays in the first two innings kept the game close Wednesday until the host Ladybirds scored five runs in the fifth for a 6-1 triumph over Sturgeon in their debut.

Danielle Cassidy threw all seven innings for North Callaway, striking out six, walking one and giving up seven hits.

Kaley Sommer and Cheyenne Chapin had two hits apiece for the Ladybirds, who played errorless ball. Big hit in their fifth-inning rally was a two-run double by Maddie Sorell.