Lady Hornets cage Tigers for championship title

CLARKTON, Mo. - Two inside-the-park home runs, a double play and RBI after RBI aided in the Holcomb Lady Hornets (21-1) 17-6 championship victory over Risco's Lady Tigers (8-6-1) Tuesday here at the Tri-County Conference Tournament.

Although the game lasted just four full innings, the Lady Tigers drew first blood on a Jaelynn Presley single in the top of the first before the Lady Hornets tripped a trigger in the bottom of the inning.

Home run hitter Addi Elliott collects some love from senior shortstop Maleigh Lemings Tuesday at the Tri-County Conference championship game at Clarkton.Photo by Steve Hankins

The Lady Hornets' Addison Elliott hit an inside-the-park home run that scored three in the bottom of the first, and the team ended the inning by scoring eight runs on six hits to lead 8-1 heading into the second.

The Lady Hornets continued the assault during the second inning when shortstop Maleigh Lemings doubled, Elliott singled and Kaetlyn Danley singled on a Lady Tigers error to extend the lead to 12-2 Holcomb.

Holcomb Lady Hornets starter Jaden Bowen hurls one while a Risco Lady Tiger heads for third Tuesday at the Tri-County Conference championship game at Clarkton.Photo by Steve Hankins

Bottom of the third found the Lady Hornets scoring five runs on two hits after Elliott tripled and scored two runs, only to be followed by Ava Gurley's inside-the-park homer that scored three, bringing the score to 17-3.

Holcomb's Ava Gurley at the plate Tuesday at Clarkton.Photo by Steve Hankins

The Lady Tigers scored three in the top of the fourth inning. But that wasn't enough to overcome the 10-run rule, nor overpower the Lady Hornets who posted the W, 17-6.

Risco Lady Tigers starter Peyton Carlisle in the circle Tuesday at the Tri-County Conference championship game at Clarkton.Photo by Steve Hankins

Lady Hornets starter Jaden Bowen was winning pitcher while Risco's Peyton Carlisle took the loss.

Bowen gave up three runs on five hits during three innings, struck out one and walked one.

Carlisle surrendered 17 runs on 12 hits and struck out eight batters for the Lady Tigers.

Risco Lady Tiger Jaelynn Presley went two for three on the day Tuesday at the Tri-County Conference championship game at Clarkton. Photo by Steve Hankins

Holcomb's Lemings, Ava Gurley and Elliott posted three hits each, while Jules Gurley, Chloe Hendrix, Katelynn Sweaney and Jasmine White posted two walks each.

The Lady Tigers' Presley went two-for-three on the day and led the team with three RBIs. Presley and Audrey White posted two hits each for the Lady Tigers.

Risco earned its spot in the final round by defeating Keenan Buchanan's Gideon Lady Bulldogs (4-6) 16-6 on Monday.

Holcomb fields a nice hit and tosses the ball to shortstop Maleigh Lemings Tuesday at Clarkton.Photo by Steve Hankins

The Lady Hornets earned the championship plaque by defeating Delta (Deering) 28-1 on Monday and Risco on Tuesday.

Scores from the preliminary and semifinal rounds Tuesday were:

Holcomb Lady Hornets over Delta C-7 Deering Lady Chargers, 28-1.

Lady Hornets senior Jasmine White at first base collects five. Photo by Steve Hankins

Delta C-7 Deering Lady Chargers over Cooter Lady Wildcats, 14-8.

Senath-Hornersville Lady Lions with Southland Lady Rebels over Campbell Lady Camels, 20-7.

Gideon Lady Bulldogs over Clarkton Lady Reindeer, 12-8.

Two schools, two teams, two friends.Photo by Steve Hankins

Risco Lady Tigers over Gideon Lady Bulldogs, 16-6.

The Lady Hornets face a formidable Kennett squad (18-6) at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at Indian Park.

The Lady Tigers travel Wednesday to Illinois to take on the Century team, and return home to welcome South Pemiscot at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.