Mt. Vernon Lady Mt’neer softballers have strong week, go 4-1

Mt’neers off to rough start on diamond
Lady Mt'neers Softball

Mt. Vernon softball started off the week in the 13th annual Mt. Vernon Tournament. The Lady Mt’neers finished the tournament with three wins and one loss, beating the Buffalo Lady Bison, 11-1, and Springfield Catholic Fighting Irish, 3-1, on Monday and the Purdy Lady Eagles, 10-0, on Tuesday before falling 4-9 to the Diamond Lady Wildcats in the championship game.
vs Buffalo Lady Bison
The Lady Mt’neers got on the board in the bottom of the first inning. Molly Daniels singled on a ground ball to left field, followed by another single by Cheyenne Bieber to right field advancing Daniels to third. A failed pickoff attempt allowed Daniels to score the first run and Bieber advanced to third. Rae Downing was then walked and an error and a double to left field by sophomore Jocelyn Liss allowed both Bieber and Downing to score. The Lady Mt’neers finished the inning 4-0. They added another run in the second inning after a passed ball, bringing the score to 5-0.
The Lady Mt’neers scored six runs in the fifth inning on the way to victory. Downing, Liss and Daniels each singled scoring one run apiece, Maddie Schubert was struck by a pitch allowing a run and two errors allowed two more runs to score.
The team finished 11-1 and Schubert earned the win. She allowed two hits and one unearned run over five innings, striking out nine and walking one. Bieber was 3-for-3 with a single in the first and second innings and a triple in the fifth inning. Liss led the team with two runs batted in and went 2-for-3 at the plate. Daniels went 2-for-4.

vs. Springfield Catholic Lady FIghting Irish
Both teams were strong in the circle but the Lady Mt’neers defeated the Springfield Lady Fighting Irish, 3-1. Cheyenne Bieber started the game and recorded 18 outs.
The Lady Mt’neers struck first when Maddie Schubert singled in the bottom of the first inning, scoring one run. The Lady Mt’neers extended their lead with two runs in the bottom of the third thanks to RBI singles by Downing and Emmie Schubert.
Bieber earned the victory. The righty gave up one hit and one unearned run over six innings, striking out eight and walking six. Bieber and Schubert each collected two hits. Downing and both Schubert sisters each drove in one run.

vs. Purdy Lady Eagles
A powerful pitching performance by Bieber carried the Lady Mt’neers past the Purdy Lady Eagles. Bieber struck out 11 batters as she led the Lady Mt’neers to a convincing 10-0 win. Bieber surrendered one hit and zero runs over five innings while walking two.
Daniels singled on a well laid bunt down the third base line and a sac fly by Bieber put the first run on the board. Another run scored after Downing homered on a fly ball to center field. A walk, an error and a passed ball allowed another run ending the first inning 3-0. A triple by Madison Rinker and a sac fly by Daniels in the second inning extended the lead to 4-0.
The Lady Mt’neers piled up 11 hits in the game. Rinker, the nine hole hitter, led the team with three triples in three at bats. Daniels went 2-for-2 and led the team with two runs batted in and two stolen bases. Liss went 2-for-3.

vs. Diamond Lady Wildcats
The Lady Mt’neers again fell short against the Diamond Lady Wildcats, 4-9. The Lady Mt’neers started strong but the Lady Wildcats’ offense proved to be stronger. Daniels got the Lady Mt’neers on the board first, the lefty slapper doubled on a fly ball to left field. An error by the Lady Wildcats allowed Downing to reach and brought Daniels across the plate. A single by Maddie Schubert then brought Downing across. The Lady Mt’neers finished the first inning 2-0. The Lady Wildcats outscored the Lady Mt’neers by 9-1 over the next six innings.
Emmie Schubert took the loss. She went seven innings, giving up nine runs (three earned) on seven hits, striking out one and walking five. Bieber and Schubert each collected two hits. Schubert, Downing and Rinker each drove in one run and Daniels and Burk turned a double play.

vs. Purdy Lady Eagles
The first regular season game saw the Lady Mt’neers on the road Friday, earning another big win over the Purdy Lady Eagles, 12-2.
Downing got the Lady Mt’neers on the board in the first inning with a solo home run to center field. A single by Daniels, followed by an error and a walk, set up Emmie Schubert who brought Daniels and Bieber across the plate on a line drive single to right field. A double by Lilly Burk would bring across the final run of the inning leaving the Lady Mt’neers with a 5-0 lead after three. Two more runs scored in the fifth inning. The Lady Eagles saw two runs score in the bottom of the sixth inning but a strong seventh inning sealed the victory for the Lady Mt’neers.
Schubert earned the win. The hurler allowed seven hits and two runs over seven innings, striking out seven and walking none. The Lady Mt’neers collected 11 hits in the game. Daniels led with three hits in five at bats from the leadoff position. Schubert, Bieber and Rinker each drove in two runs; Daniels and Burk turned their third double play of the season.
The Lady Mt’neers welcomed the Ash Grove Pirates on Monday and the Pittsburg, Kan. Lady Dragons on Tuesday. They will be on the road for their next three games facing off against the Lamar Lady Tigers on Friday, the Diamond Lady Wildcats next Monday and Southwest Lady Trojans next Tuesday.
 
 
Mt'neers baseball
The Mt. Vernon Mt’neers are off to a rocky start in the early going. The boys see themselves 1-5 after earning their only win against the Buffalo Bison on Tuesday, March 25.
The Mt’neers jumped out to a lead in the first inning after Gavin Johnston singled—scoring one run—Zerrik Pham doubled, scoring two runs and an error scored one run.
Braden Dodson earned the win, giving up one hit and zero runs over four innings, striking out five and walking none.
The Mt’neers tallied nine hits in the game. Johnston, Dodson, Hudson Gaddy and Pham each collected two hits in the game. Johnston and Pham were a one-two punch in the lineup, as each drove in three runs. Payton Jones led with three walks.
Overall the team had a strong eye at the plate, piling up eight walks for the game. Jones and Dodson each stole multiple bases. Jaxon Evans and Jones turned a double play to end the bottom of the second inning.
The Mt’neers traveled to play in the Cassville tournament on Friday and Saturday, falling to their opponents in all three games.
The Mt’neers looked to right the ship though as they played their home opener on Tuesday against Lighthouse Sr. High, and are scheduled to face off against the West Plains Zizzers and the Branson Pirates to end the week. They will then travel to Logan-Rogersville next week.