CHEROKEE — Things started out on a high note for Yates Center High’s softball team Monday.
Senior Lauren McConaghie led off Monday’s opener against Southeast with a solo home run on the second pitch of the game.
But the rest was all Southeast.
The Lancers took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the second and erupted for 13 runs in the second to win, 16-1.
McConaghie started Game 2 with a single and scored on Kinley Morrison’s triple to kick-start a three-run Wildcat outburst.
But, as in the opener, Southeast had a strong response, tying the score with three in the first and taking the lead for good with a seven-run second inning to win on the way to a 16-6 victory.
The setbacks drop Yates Center to 3-11.
After McConaghie’s blast, Morrison pitched two innings for the Wildcats in the opener, striking out three and allowing nine hits. She also had a single, as did Cummings and Kamdyn Trahan.
Avery Eakin and Cummings handled the pitching duties in Game 2. Eakin struck out three and allowed seven hits. Cummings walked two over two innings of work.
Offensive highlights included back-to-back doubles from Trahan and Wylee Shaffer to start Yates Center’s fourth inning. McConaghie followed with a two out double to make it 13-5. Cummings then drove in a run with a single for Yates Center’s final tally.
McConaghie, Shaffer and Trahan each had a single and double for Yates Center in the nightcap. Cummings singled twice. Jayda Rice also singled.
