Malden, Portageville, Senath-Hornersville winners in Bootheel Conference Softball Tournament quarterfinals

MALDEN – Higher seeds prevailed during the first night of the Bootheel Conference Softball Tournament Monday, April 24, 2023.

In the first game, second-seeded Senath-Hornersville cruised past seventh-seeded Caruthersville 14-4. Third-seeded Portageville downed sixth-seeded Campbell 20-10, and fourth-seeded Malden beat fifth-seeded South Pemiscot 12-3.

__Senath-Hornersville 14 Caruthersville 4__

The Senath-Hornersville Lions won in five innings Monday to secure their place in the tournament semifinals against Portageville this afternoon.

“I thought we played great,” Senath-Hornersville coach Melani Rooney said. “We started kind of slow, but we came around. I thought they did great today.”

The Lions scored three runs in the first inning while holding the Tigers scoreless. They added three more in the third, two in the fourth and capped it off with six in the fifth.

Senath-Hornersville’s Kylie Walker hit two home runs in the game, which led to her 12th of the season.

Walker, Jada Burlison and Katie McClelland each racked up three hits for the Lions. Walker and Burlison both scored four of the Lions’ 14 runs, Emma Sample added two, and Kaya Horton, Annabelle Carlisle and Lyvana Reyes-Lopez all contributed one.

Burlison was credited with the win in the circle for the Lions after pitching four innings. She threw 72 pitches and 46 strikes for four strikeouts. She allowed 11 hits, a single walked batter and four earned runs. She was relieved by McClelland for the final inning.

“We made a couple mistakes, but we always talk about picking up the next one,” Rooney said. “I feel like on those plays, that’s exactly what we did.”

Finley Strawn connected on three hits for Caruthersville and scored one run. Alexandria Hayes and Kylie Walker each had two. Strawn, Hayes and Jamya Buttrom all contributed runs.

Caruthersville’s Hailey McCloud pitched a complete game and took the loss for the Tigers. She faced 33 batters and threw 106 pitches for 55 strikes and three strikeouts while allowing all 14 earned runs.

“We feel really good, especially after this weekend and today,” Rooney said of their impending semifinal appearance. “We’ve played some good quality teams and gained some confidence, so hopefully that carries over. I feel confident with either team we play. I don’t know who will come out on top of that one, but we’re ready.”

__Portageville 20 Campbell 10__

Portageville came out on top by 10 runs in a shorthanded, high scoring quarterfinal game against Campbell. While both teams had players out with injuries, the Bulldogs worked around their struggles and still connected on 15 hits to earn their semifinal appearance.

“Today we had a starter out so that messed up our defense some,” Portageville coach Kelsey Snider said. “We had a first baseman who hasn’t played first all year long. My pitcher that started got hurt, but Carly Johnson came in and threw really well too. We just had some walks there at the end that we can’t have.”

The Bulldogs scored five runs in each of the first three innings, then managed three in the fourth and two in the fifth for the win.

Portageville's Ja'niya Smith gears up at the plate in a game against Campbell Monday.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

Reece Rone led the way offensively for Portageville with four hits and three RBIs, but did not score a run herself. Ja’niya Smith scored four runs, while Jessica and Libbie Priggel and Laney Stone all added three.

“This was actually the best game I’ve seen us hit, bunt and be all around offensively,” Snider said. “Defensively, we had four or five errors that we don’t normally have. Overall, Campbell had some good hitters, and out pitching had some more walks than they typically have.”

Aubrey Greenwell took the win with 2.2 innings in the circle. She threw 60 pitches and 34 strikes for three strikeouts, and she allowed a hit, three walked batters and three earned runs.

She was relieved by Karlie Johnson for 2.1 innings. Johnson threw 65 pitches and 35 strikes for three strikeouts as well. She allowed two hits and seven runs, with four earned runs, with five walked batters.

Payton Akridge scored two of the Camels’ 10 runs, while every other player on Campbell’s lineup contributed one apiece.

“We came out today with two of our seniors out, so we had four freshmen and two sophomores starting,” Campbell coach Cheryl Umfress said. “We battled, but Portageville’s a real good team. We knew we’d have to hit well, and they looked good, so I’m proud of them. We’re young and we’re rebuilding.”

Kaitlyn Weidenbenner pitched a complete game for Campbell. She faced 37 batters, and she threw 127 pitches for 67 strikes but zero strikeouts and six walks. She allowed 15 hits and 17 earned runs, with 20 total runs.

Portageville plays Senath-Hornersville in the tournament semifinals Tuesday at 5 p.m.

“I’m feeling pretty good about tomorrow,” Snider said. “I know they’ll have better hitting, pitching and defensively than what we saw today, but that’s what we’ve been preparing for all season long. Today, we didn’t really show it, but I’m hoping they come out ready to go and get it done.”

__Malden 12 South Pemiscot 3__

After a slow start, Malden scored two runs in the second through fifth innings, being held off just enough to win in the seventh inning against South Pemiscot.

Senior Rachel Rommel “hit the cover off the ball,” in the words of coach Kyle Jones. She led the team offensively with three hits, two runs and two RBIs. Brydon Maddox and Kaitlynn Sparks also contributed two runs.

Malden's Rachel Rommel heads to third base in a game against South Pemiscot Monday.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

“I’m very proud of our seniors,” Jones said. “Rachel does great behind the plate and she hits well. Brydon is solid defensively, she has some power and she’s really aggressive running the bases. Lachia placed a really good bunt down tonight, and I’m really proud of her, too.”

Six more players up and down the lineup added one additional point to the Green Wave’s total.

Freshman Alyssa Broom pitched all seven innings against South Pemiscot. Broom faced 28 batters, threw 102 pitches and 70 strikes for 10 strikeouts. She allowed three hits and a walked batter but zero earned runs.

“I was happy with how we played,” Jones said. “We hit the ball well, played good defense and Alyssa pitched a heck of a game, especially for a freshman. We had a couple miscues, but not many. When you only allow three runs, you’re doing something right.”

Ayleighonna Farmer connected on two hits for a run for South Pemiscot. Phoenix Simmons and Matiya Phillips both added another.

Abigail Edwards also pitched a complete game for South Pemiscot. She threw 106 pitches and 69 strikes for five strikeouts. She allowed 13 hits, four walks and 10 earned runs.

Malden faces Kennett Tuesday at 3 p.m., in the tournament semifinals.

“We’re capable of beating them, especially if we play like we did tonight,” Jones said. “I’m looking forward to it, and I hope we step up to the challenge. If we play like we’re capable, I think we can compete with most teams around here.”