Gainesville girls defeat Alton and Seymour


Gainesville’s Shayla Wages hits a grand slam home run in the third inning of the 17-2 victory over the Seymour Lady Tigers Tuesday, Sept. 11. Photo by Karla Smith.

The Lady Bulldogs got some revenge against Alton’s Lady Comets, who had shut out the Gainesville girls 17-0 in the opening game of the season on Aug. 27. Gainesville traveled to Alton on Sept. 4 and beat the Lady Comets 15-4 on their home field. “What a turnaround!” said coach Cody Swearengin. “Collect-ively, the girls played very well and executed in some situations that we haven’t executed well in before. Erin McKinzie pitched the entire game with eight strikeouts and two walks with four hit batters. Cassie Carlo played amazing defense, and Teagan Broderick did a great job behind the plate.”

Peyton Donley and Madison Trivitt went 2 for 3 each, driving in 4 runs combined. Blakley Morrison was 1 for 3 with 4 RBIs. 

The Lady Bulldogs hosted Seymour Tuesday, Sept. 11, and won 17-2. “This was a fun game,” Swearengin said. “The girls came out ready to play and really put on a performance. As a team, we were 10-18 at the plate and scored 17 runs. Erin McKinzie, Shayla Wages, Madison Trivitt and Audrey Lovan went a combined 9 for 9. Madison, Audrey and Erin drove in 2 runs each, while Shayla drove in 5 runs, including a grand slam in the third inning. We played well offensively and defensively, and the score showed it.”

Gainesville wasn’t able to continue the winning streak Thursday, Sept. 13, when the Lady Bulldogs hosted Ava and lost 9-1. “This was our first true test of the year. We knew we had to play well; Ava is a very well coached softball team,” Swearengin said. “Not to mention their run last year and having everyone back. Offensively, we hit the ball well but right at them.” 

Gainesville had 7 hits as a team with Peyton Donley and Madison Trivitt having 2 hits each. “Defense is what hurt us,” Swearengin said. “We can’t have 6 errors and expect to beat a team like Ava. We as a team know we are better than that performance and have a chance to play Ava three more times this year.”

The Lady Bulldogs competed in the Bakersfield Tournament Saturday, Sept. 15, and lost to Ava in the first round, 6-4. “Both teams knew what the other had, and the score reflects that,” said Swearengin. “We played really well during the game and had our chances to win, but a few things happened in the field that ultimately cost us the game. Cassie Carlo and Kady Lovan went 2 for 3 each at the plate. Natalie Kiger did a great job pitching for us. “

Gainesville took on Norwood in the second round and lost 2-13. “Our game against Norwood was a better game than the score indicates. Erin McKinzie pitched pretty well against them, but it was just a match-up that went in Norwood’s favor. We also had 5 errors that didn’t help matters much. Kylee Hayes went 2 for 2 at the plate scoring 1 run and driving in 1 run. Shayla Wages was 2 for 3 with a triple.”

Gainesville has a busy schedule this week. The Lady Bulldogs hosted Bakersfield Monday night and Norwood Tuesday night, then travel to Willow Springs today (Wednesday) and compete in the Norwood tournament Saturday, Sept. 22. “After this weekend, we will have played 8 games in 7 days. We’ll see where we stand after this test,” Swearengin said.

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423