Ladycats defeat Nashville in softball action

NASHVILLE – The Hope Ladycats pulled out another impressive victory last week facing Nashville on the road for non-conference softball action. The Ladycats defeated Nashville 3-2 in eight innings to improve their record to 2-0.

 In the game against Nashville, the Ladycats had a total of three runs scored, off five hits. Nashville had a total of two runs scored off three hits and two errors.

In the top of the first inning, Sara Bateman singled, Malloree Butler hit scarifice bunt to the catcher, and Bateman moved to second. Stephanie Winfield singled, and Bateman moved to third. Chelsee Cornelius went on base by fielder's choice with Winfield heading to third. The Ladycats would be force with outs recording no runs and two hits. In the bottom of the first, Godwin had two strike outs but Nashville sparked recording one run off one hit. At the end of the first, Nashville led Hope, 1-0.

In the top of the second, Godwin grounded out to third, Shantae Henry grounded out to short, and Adriana Rivera grounded out to third. In the bottom of the second, Nashville was held scoreless with Godwin having two strike outs. At end of the second, Nashville led Hope, 1-0.

In the top of the third, Marlee Butler grounded out to first, Allen White singled, Bateman singled, with White moving to second. Malloree Butler flied out right and White moved to third. The Ladycats recorded no runs off two hits. In the bottom of the third, Godwin had two strike outs and Nashville recorded no runs, or hits. At the end of the third, Nashville maintained their lead over Hope, 1-0.

In the top of the fourth, Winfield grounded out to short, Cornelius grounded out to third, and Godwin went out on her attempt at bat. In the bottom of the fourth, Godwin had one strike out and Nashville was held scoreless leading the Ladycats 1-0 at the end of the fourth.

In the top of the fifth inning, Henry grounded out to short, Rivera and Marlee Butler both went out on their attempts at bat. In the bottom of the fifth, Godwin had one strike out keeping Nashville scoreless recording no runs or hits. Hope still trailed Nashville, 1-0 at the end of the fifth.

In the top of the sixth, White grounded out to the pitcher, Bateman grounded out to short, and Malloree Butler walked. Winfield went safe to first on Nashville's fielding error with Butler moving to third, then scoring a run. Winfield moved to second, Cornelius walked, with Winfield moving to third. Cornelius headed to second, and Godwin flied out to right. In the bottom of the sixth, the Ladycats kept Nashville scoreless and Hope tied the game at the end of the sixth inning, 1-1.

In the top of the seventh inning, Henry grounded out to short, Rivera grounded out to first, Marlee Butler singled, White went safe to first on Nashville's fielding error. Butler would move to second, then to third with White heading to second, and Bateman flied out to center. In the bottom of the seventh, Godwin had one strike out and Nashville recorded no runs or hits. Hope and Nashville remained tied 1-1 at the end of the seventh. In the top of the eighth inning, the Ladycats sparked on Nashville's defense recording two runs. Bateman was awarded to first base, then moved to second, and headed to third.

Malloree Butler walked, then moved to second, Winfield grounded out to short and Bateman scored and Butler headed to third. Cornelius grounded out to short, and Butler scoring a run, Godwin walked with Henry grounding out to short. In the bottom of the eighth, the Ladycats stepped up their defense only allowing the Nahville to score one run. The Ladycats would hold off Nashville for the victory and remain unbeaten.