Malden softball dominates at Caruthersville

CARUTHERSVILLE – The Green Wave softball team doubled their 9-4 winning score against Caruthersville from just three days prior in a 18-3 thrashing of the Tigers on the road Tuesday, April 18.

Led in scoring by sophomore Mariah Loya who managed four runs on five hits and racked up five RBIs, Malden's offense exploded Tuesday afternoon after falling in back-to-back games against Holcomb and Senath-Hornersville Monday.

“We played (Caruthersville) Saturday in our tournament and won, which was good, but we felt like we left a lot on the field,” Green Wave coach Kyle Jones said. “They came in with the attitude that they're going to play better than we've been playing, especially after losing two in a row.”

“The attitude and morale was a lot better,” he continued. “They came in ready to play and they were determined.”

Malden didn't leave anything on the field Tuesday after racking up a total of 22 hits and 15 RBIs by the end of the game.

Malden sophomore Mariah Loya connects on a hit in a game against Senath-Hornersville Monday. Loya led the Green Wave with five hits and four runs against Caruthersville. Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

The visitors took an early lead in scoring two runs in the first inning and another in the third, but the fourth inning is where things got interesting. Malden ran away with eight runs to Caruthersville's one, and they added another six in the sixth inning while leaving the Tigers scoreless.

“We finally hit the ball really well,” Jones said. “I knew we were capable of it, but we finally put it together all the way up and down the lineup.”

In addition to Loya's four runs, Addison Buchanan added three more. Kinley Buchanan, Brydon Maddox and Alyssa Broom contributed two apiece. Rachel Rommel, Kaitlynn Sparks, Lexis Malone, Camryn Ellison and Jontayvianna Sutton all chipped in one.

“Alyssa, has been doing great as our pitcher, but for the last few games she's been hitting really well,” Jones explained. “Addi Buchanan hit two that would’ve been out in most fields, and then Rachel and Brydon have been hitting it like crazy, too. The top five of our lineup is really coming through, and now some of the younger girls at the bottom of the lineup are stepping up.”

Malden junior Addison Buchanan moves to first base after a hit in a game against Holcomb on Monday.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

Freshman Alyssa Broom led Malden in the circle all six innings. She threw 91 pitches and 60 strikes for eight strikeouts. Broom allowed just one earned run, five hits and a walked batter.

“(Broom) does a great job of not letting people get on base,” Jones said. “That's why we like having her up there, because she makes them put the ball in play.”

And when the Tigers did put the ball in play, Malden's defense stepped up and eliminated many of the errors that plagued the team Monday. The team, combined, committed just three against Caruthersville.

“Defensively, we did a whole lot better,” Jones said. “There were a couple of hiccups, but we were pretty solid as far as defense goes. Overall, I was really happy with how the game went.”

Caruthersville's five hits were secured by Hailey McCloud with two, and Emma Baldwin, Alexandria Hayes and Hallie Walker with one each. Baldwin, McCloud and Finley Strawn all scored one of the Tigers' three runs.

McCloud took the loss for Caruthersville in the circle after pitching all six innings as well. She threw 106 pitches, 65 strikes and four strikeouts. She allowed 15 earned runs on 22 hits and three walked batters.

Caruthersville takes on East Prairie at home next Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

Malden is scheduled to play at Neelyville Friday at 4:30 p.m. They will begin the Bootheel Conference Tournament next week, however a schedule has not yet been determined.

“I'm just hoping we can build off that momentum from yesterday going into conference,” Jones said. “That's my main concern. We have a really strong conference so we're going to have to come in and play really well.”