North Callaway had a couple hits early Thursday against conference leader Elsberry, but nothing beyond that.

Eastern Missouri Conference foe Elsberry defeated the Ladybirds 8-0 at home as Addyson Steele limited North Callaway (3-2 EMO) to two hits — both of them in the first two innings — and struck out 11 in seven innings. The Lady Indians (12-1, 5-0 EMO) scored all of their runs in three of the final four innings.

Corynne Miller led off the game with a bunt single, and Abigail Schmidt began the second inning with a single. 

Ladybirds offense falls short vs Clopton, Yates

North Callaway hopes Tuesday won’t be a deciding factor in the Eastern Missouri Conference race.

The Ladybirds went into their home game with Clopton as undefeated in conference play but have that blemish on their record after losing 4-3. Clopton’s Shana Yates struck out 11 and allowed four hits and one walk.

North Callaway finished with four hits, often scoring on one of four Clopton errors or a groundout. The groundout is how the Ladybirds picked up their only RBI with Faith Cash being credited. After Lauren Speight allowed three earned runs on nine hits through 4⅓ innings, Olivia Knoepflein shut out and no-hit the Lady Hawks through 2⅓ innings.

“The pitching kept us in the game,” head coach Mariah McKee said. We just couldn’t get our bats going tonight. Sometimes, a young team like us will have games like that.”

Clopton took a 3-0 lead after two and half innings before North Callaway answered with two runs in the third inning and another in the fourth inning. The Lady Hawks scored the winning run in the top of the fourth inning after the Ladybirds committed all three of their errors in the frame.

North Callaway (3-4) plays in the Cairo Softball Tournament today at 9:30 a.m. against Moberly.

Volleyball

North Callaway drops two matches, loses 2nd time to Montgomery County

After North Callaway volleyball made history by earning its first placing in a tournament, the Ladybirds need to get back in a groove.

After losing in five sets Monday at Intensity Homeschool, North Callaway was swept by reigning Eastern Missouri Conference champion, and conference leader at 4-0, Montgomery County (4-3) for the second time this season.

The Ladybirds lost their sets by scores of 25-20, 25-13 and 25-18.

“We competed in all levels of the match,” head coach Andrew Klein said. “They were just a little quicker to the ball than us tonight.”

North Callaway (3-7) travels to Chamois (0-3) on Tuesday.