Lady Mules struggle to get past Farmington

The Poplar Bluff High School Lady Mules softball team is still on the quest to capture their first home win of the season.

The Lady Mules will have to wait a little longer for that home victory after falling to Farmington High School 11-3 in Monday’s softball matchup.

With the first opportunity at the plate, the Farmington Lady Knights got the ball rolling with a single pop fly hit to right field from Jayden Tucker to bring in the first run. The Lady Mules quickly responded at the top of the first with a few base hits to jump out front.

Sophomore Molly Eason would be the spark for the Lady Mules early in the game as she connected on a ground ball to center field to bring in two runners, which gave the Lady Mules a 2-1 lead headed into the top of the second.

The Lady Mules held a solid lead for the next few innings as both teams went scoreless. Though it seemed the Lady Mules had the upper hand, it wouldn’t stay that way for too long as the Lady Knights would make an unstoppable run.

Farmington’s Jayce Jarvis evened the score after smashing a single home run to left field, while Shelby Bowling grounded out with a base hit, but it drove in a run to give the Lady Knights a 3-2 lead at the top of the third. The Lady Mules would go scoreless for the next couple of innings as they desperately needed a spark at the plate.

While holding a commanding 6-2 lead, the Lady Knights would ultimately put the game away for good as they continued to dominate at the plate and capitalize on the miscues from the Lady Mules.

Jarvis showed up yet again for the Lady Knights by connecting with a grand slam home run bomb to center field, bringing in the most runs for Farmington during this matchup with four. Pitcher Elly Robbins ended the game from the mound with a no-hitter to spoil the Lady Mules’ chances of getting their first home win.

The Lady Mules head softball coach Aaron Duncan said that for the team to get better, they must continue to grow and play a full game. The Lady Mules will go back to the drawing board to figure out how to get over the hump when trailing during a game.

Robbins earned the win for Farmington on the mound. She gave up five hits and three runs over seven innings, striking out eight and walking three. Eason began the game for the Lady Mules. The right-handed pitcher allowed eight hits and six runs (four earned) over four innings, striking out one and walking one.

Farmington collected 13 hits in the game. Robbins led the Lady Knights with three hits in four at bats. Jarvis hit two home runs in the game. The infielder went 2-5 with two runs scored and six runs batted in, while Tucker and Avery Graham each collected multiple hits for Farmington as well. The Lady Knights handled business in the field as they didn’t commit a single error. Tucker had the most chances in the field with 11.

Eason collected three hits in three at bats for the Lady Mules. Eason singled in the first inning, doubled in the fourth inning and singled in the sixth inning.