Backfisch blasts HR in Kelly's 10-1 victory

Kelly's Londyn Backfisch says she is a typical leadoff hitter, using her speed to get on base and score runs.

Throughout her softball career, the 5-foot-3 sophomore had never previously hit a home run that cleared the outfield fence, except during practice.

That was until the top of seventh inning Tuesday evening, when Backfisch ripped a pitch from Scott City hurler Emily Essner over the right-center field fence with two runners on base.

"I usually do bunting," she said. "That was definitely the first one to go over the fence, so that was nice. I was pretty excited about it, but I was just glad that we got more runs. I feel more comfortable with more runs on the scoreboard."

Backfisch's home run capped off a seven-run seventh inning for the visiting Hawks, who flew past Scott City 10-1 on Tuesday.

Scott City's Emily Essner delivered a pitch to a Kelly batter.

As Backfisch, who does have two inside-the-park homers, trotted around the bases and returned to the visitor's dugout, she wondered how far her hit went. There are no posted distances on the fence at Scott City High School.

"I was wondering the [distance] because just the fact that I got it over is kind of unusual," she said, laughing. "It can't be too big."

Scott City coach Sally O'Brien said her team has been playing at that park for about the past four years, and no one has hit one out. She said the fence is approximately 225 feet from home plate.

Backfisch said she was given the ball to keep as a souvenir.

"I'll probably [put it] in a metal or glass case," she said. "I am just going to put it where I can see it."

Entering the top of the seventh, Kelly was ahead 3-1. The Hawks had scored one run in the first inning and two in the second. But Essner had held them scoreless over the next four frames.

Kelly squandered a number of opportunities to add to their lead, especially in the top of the sixth. The Hawks left the bases loaded when base-runner interference was called on Heather Beggs, who ran into Scott City shortstop Lauren Schaefer on a sharp hit up the middle by Backfisch.

"We kind of made a silly error with my runner running into the shortstop with the bases loaded and it being still a 3-0 ballgame at that point," Kelly coach Rhonda Ratledge said. "So little silly errors like that we've got to get rid of. I am always telling them don't run into your shortstop. But when the ball is hit, you're antsy and ready to go; and with two outs, you're going on a hit."

Scott City scored its only run in the bottom of the sixth. Schaefer found the gap in left-center field and legged out a triple. Becki Holder, who was on second, scored on the play.

In addition to Backfisch's home run, Sarah Ruff, Casey Kern and Hailey Glastetter had hits to drive in runs for Kelly. The Hawks also scored on a passed ball to take the 10-1 lead.

Kelly starting pitcher Jessica Riley had a strong outing, allowing just one run on four hits and one walk over seven innings. Riley said about 55 percent of her pitches were changeups.

O'Brien was disappointed afterward because her team could not hold on in the late innings against a district opponent. The Rams made the switch from spring to fall softball this year.

"We seem to go several innings very well, and then we have one bad inning," O'Brien said. "I think in the early on [Essner] had strength and control, and I think in the last inning her changeup was not working and she lost some control with the changeup."