Bernie SB tops NMCC in battle of teams having special springs

In its latest outing, the New Madrid County Central High School softball squad didn’t get the outcome it was hoping for, as Bernie put four runs across the plate in its final at-bat to earn a 9-7 win on Friday at New Madrid County Central. However, that one game – or how this week unfolds for the Eagles – can’t diminish how well this spring has gone for second-year coach Matt Hartman’s girls.

“I’m super proud of the girls,” Hartman said earlier this season of his team. “What I have asked of them is not easy, but they have accepted it.”

The Eagles (12-8) and Mules (16-9-1) were tied entering the final inning, and Bernie junior Macie Botsch drew a lead-off walk from New Madrid sophomore Joebeth Riley.

Mule sophomore Lexi Dillinger moved Botsch to third base with a single, before Botsch put the Mules up 6-5 on an RBI ground out from senior Abby Powell.

Dillinger came home on an Eagle error for a 7-5 score while sophomore Mikalyn Kirkwood and junior Kealea Powell made it a 9-5 game by scoring after a series of Eagle walks.

New Madrid County Central got a run from freshman Ella Courtois and another from sophomore Mylee Cook, but sophomore Mule thrower Blair Pleimling was able to get out of trouble and seal the win.

Offensively, New Madrid County Central was paced by freshman Aubrey Aycock, who tallied two hits, scored a run, and drew a walk while Riley, junior Destiny Hughes, and sophomore Laura Johnson each had doubles for the Eagles.

Riley had three hits, two runs, and a pair of RBI while Johnson (one hit, one run, one walk), Cook (one RBI, one run), Hughes (one hit, two RBI, one walk), sophomore Emma Howard (one run, one walk), freshman Lillian Eddy (one RBI), and Courtois (one hit, one run, one walk) also contributed.

Johnson had four stolen bases while Courtois added one theft.

Riley threw 6 2/3 innings and struck out two Mules.

Dillinger had a couple of hits in the win to go with three runs and an RBI while Botsch (three runs, four walks), Abby Powell (one hit, three RBI), Kirkwood (one run), Pleimling (one hit), Kealea Powell (one run, one walk), junior Rylie Powell (one hit, one RBI), sophomore Mackenzie Meese (one hit), senior Elicia Freeman (one walk), and sophomore Kalli Mason (one run, two walks) also contributed for Bernie.

Pleimling relieved Kirkwood and worked 5 2/3 innings and allowed just three earned runs while striking out one.

Bernie has won seven consecutive games and will host Puxico (1-9) today at 4:30 p.m. A win today will give the Mules their most successful season in four years.

New Madrid’s 12 wins are the most by the program in seven seasons, and the Eagles will go for number 13 today at 4:30 p.m. when they visit Scott County Central (9-10).