AC-S Softball Improves to 9-1
Allen County-Scottsville’s Addison Ausbrooks takes aim at the plate in action last Saturday at Clinton County. Ausbrooks won the game, throwing a 3-0 shutout. For the season, Ausbrooks has a 1.14 ERA. (Photo by Don Meador).
By Don Meador,
Sports Writer
The Allen County-Scottsville Lady Patriots combined for 15 hits in shutout wins over Clay County, 3-0, and Wayne County, 5-0, last Saturday at the East/West Classic at Clinton County.
AC-S shortstop Addie Law looks to turn a double play against Clay County. Offensively, Law is batting .412 this season. (Photo by Don Meador).
In the day’s opener, a two-run homer off the bat of sophomore Payton Hopkins in the first inning staked the Lady Patriots to a lead that would not be relinquished. Hopkins’ homer plated Jacie Rice who earlier reached on a single. Hopkins’ home run was her fifth of the season. AC-S’s final run came in the fourth. Junior Addison Wheat scored after coming in to run for catcher Maddie Gray.
Payton Hopkins takes her position at second base in last weekend’s game against Clay County. Hopkins not only is a solid defender in the infielder but also leads AC-S in batting, hitting .583 through the team’s first 10 games. (Photo by Don Meador).
Defensively, junior hurler Addison Ausbrooks worked four innings in the circle. She allowed one hit and struck out four Clay County (3-5) batters. Of her 56 pitches thrown, 37 were strikes.
A passing shower ended the Clay County game early but did not wash out the day’s action. In the afternoon, the Lady Patriots ripped eight hits in their 5-0 shutout of the Wayne County Cardinals. Ally Anderson, Gray and Aubrey Williams each recorded two hits to lead AC-S to the win.
Lady Patriot Brooklyn Oliver (13) smiles after avoiding a pick-off play at second base. Oliver helped AC-S to wins over Clay County and Wayne County last Saturday at Clinton County (Photo by Don Meador).
Singles from Anderson and Rice, a sacrifice fly from Hopkins, and a single by Gray stacked the Lady Patriots to a 2-0 lead after the first. Gray hit her sixth home run in the third, driving home Hopkins on the swing as well. AC-S added their fifth run in the inning also.
Sophomore Brooklyn Oliver recorded the Wayne County (5-3) win in the circle. Oliver gave up four hits and recorded eight strikeouts. Of her 83 total pitches, Oliver threw 47 strikes.
Outfielder Katie Jo Scott (1) was back in the line-up Saturday for the Lady Patriots. Scott had missed the team’s first nine games due to an injury. (Photo by Don Meador).
The Saturday wins quipped the Lady Patriots record to 9-1–the program’s best start since the 2018 team opened 11-1. This week, the competition continues as AC-S will face Harrison County (13-1) on Monday, Western Hills (2-8) and Washington County (0-8) on Tuesday, and Harlan County this Wednesday (4-4). The foursome of games will be played in Pigeon Forge as part of the Ripken Experience. Next week, AC-S hosts Russell County (4-6) Monday and travels to Bowling Green (4-4) Tuesday.
Lady Patriot junior Addison Wheat (14) rounds second and watches the play develop in front of her. Wheat would later come around and score her sixth run of the season. (Photo by Don Meador).
