Baserunning errors and late pitching lapses did in Allen Community College’s softball team Monday. THE SECOND game was evenly matched through five innings.
The Red Devils could not hold a 4-1 lead against visiting North Central Missouri in a 5-4, extra-inning loss in the opener.
Then, the Red Devils surrendered three runs each in both the sixth and seventh innings in the nightcap, a 10-4 loss.
The defeats keep Allen winless on the season and has head coach Jamie Amerine steamed.
“We’re just not playing to our potential,” she said.
While recent lineup changes have shored up the Red Devil defense, hits and runs are harder to come by, she said.
Things looked promising in the opener.
Kayla Bourgeois’ infield single scored Stormie Bush in the bottom of the second to erase an early 1-0 deficit. A single and walk loaded the bases for Cassidy Reynolds, who lofted a pop-up just beyond the Lady Pirates first baseman for a bases-clearing double.
The lead didn’t last long. North Central’s Scotlin Hurley — the Lady Pirates’ starting pitcher — aided her own cause with a tying three-run homer in the top of the third.
That’s where it stayed as Allen missed a golden opportunity to take the lead in the bottom of the sixth.
Bourgeois made it to second with nobody out, courtesy of a Lady Pirate error, but was gunned down trying to steal third two pitches later.
The play became even more significant when Callie Beene followed with a line drive double to center on the next pitch.
A grounder and fly ball ended the inning with Beene stranded at third.
The gut punches continued in the top of the eighth, with international tie-breaking rules in effect, which means the team at bat automatically gets a runner on second base. Mackenzi Beck retired the first two Lady Pirate batters before North Central’s Randi Davis doubled to drive in the tie-breaker.
Bailey made it to third with nobody out, but was picked off base on a ground ball. Bush, who singled to open the inning, then was thrown out in a stolen base attempt.
“Baserunning killed us,” Amerine said.
Beene and Bush each went 3-for-3 with doubles. Reynolds, Annie Gentry and Bourgeois each had singles.
Beck took the loss, despite giving up only two hits with four strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. Marissa Luna allowed three hits and two walks in 2 1/3 innings.
Allen’s Shelby Maycumber singled with one out, advanced to second on Bush’s single and scored on Erika King’s infield hit to tie the score at 1-1, but North Central starter Macie Kinsey induced a ground ball to end the inning with the bases loaded.
Trailing 3-1, Allen tied the score after Reynolds reached on an error to start the frame. She moved to second on Bush’s sacrifice and scored on a single by Jordan Barber. Barber advanced to second on the throw and third on a wild pitch, where she scored the tying run on a fielder’s choice.
The Lady Pirates retook a 4-3 lead before Maycumber kick-started a two-out rally with a single. She moved to second on a walk and scored on Bush’s single to left.
It fell apart after that. North Central put together three hits to score three in the top of the sixth, then three more in the top of the seventh to take control.
Bush and Macumber both went 2-for-4 at the plate. Beene had a double. Barber, King, Burnett, Gentry and Bourgeois had singles.
Emily England took the loss. She surrendered nine hits with three walks and two strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings of work. Beck pitched the final 1 2/3 innings, giving up five hits and two walks.
Allen returns to action this afternoon to host Highland for a doubleheader.
“Highland is a good team,” Amerine said. “It’s not going to get any easier.”
Basepath misadventures do in Red Devil softball
