Allen Community College’s softball team couldn’t avoid the big inning Tuesday, and it translated into big trouble on the scoreboard. A SIMILAR pattern followed in game 2 as the Red Devils led 3-0 by the end of the first frame. THE INJURY bug also took a bite out of the Red Devils.
The Red Devils took the early lead in both games of their double header against visiting Maple Woods Community College, but a seven-run third sunk Allen in an 11-4 loss in the opener. Maple Woods then twice had three-run innings in the nightcap, a 10-4 victory.
The losses drop Allen to 0-4 on the season. The Red Devils return to action at home next Tuesday against Kansas City, Kan.
Allen head coach Jamie Amerine said leaky defense was key.
“Errors and missed chances to make defensive plays hurt us,” she said. “That gave them extra outs. One hit would become two hits, and it just kept going.”
The Red Devils started quickly in both games. Bailey Burnett lofted a dying quail with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the first in the opener, just beyond the infield. The hit drove in Shelby Maycumber, while Annie Gentry and Stormie Bush both scored as the Monarchs threw the ball around the bases in unsuccessful attempts to throw out trailing runners.
Callie Beene singled to lead off the second. She came around to score on Maycumber’s bunt single, pushing the lead to 4-0.
Trouble started at the top of the next inning as the Monarchs pounded out seven straight hits, including Breann Hibberd’s 3-run home run to break a 4-4 tie.
Allen stranded runners at second and third in the bottom of the inning and another runner in scoring position in the fourth.
Maple Woods added four insurance runs against Red Devil reliever Emily England in the sixth.
Mackenzi Beck was saddled with the loss. She surrendered 10 hits in 2 1/3 innings. England allowed 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings of relief.
Maycumber had a pair of hits for Allen, while Marissa Luna, Bush, Burnett, Callie Beene and Jordan Barber all singled.
Cassidy Reynolds singled, Annie Gentry doubled and both scored on Bush’s two-run triple. Bush then stole home three pitches later.
The lead didn’t last long. Maple Woods responded with three in the second and two more in the third to take a 5-3 lead.
Burnett and Kayla Bourgeois singled to lead off the bottom of the third for Allen, but the rally was cut short as Burnett was thrown out at third. Bourgeois scored on Beck’s sac fly before Maycumber grounded out to end the inning.
Allen’s bats went silent from there, while the Monarchs kept on rolling with two in the fifth and three in the sixth.
The game was cut short after the sixth because of darkness. Allen committed six errors in the contest.
Reynolds went 2-for-3 with a double.
Erika King exited the second game in a scary scene in which she was hit in the ear with the ball.
She was taken to Allen County Regional Hospital for stitches.
In addition, Luna injured her knee on a play at third in the first game. Her status remains unknown, pending further observation.
Home games scheduled for Thursday against Cottey College were cancelled because Cottey did not have enough available players, Amerine said.
Maple Woods bats too much for Allen
