Oran bounces back with a pair of wins

ORAN, Mo. — The Oran softball team rebounded from a disappointing loss with a pair of solid victories.

The Lady Eagles (9-2) won 10-8 over Malden (7-5) at Oran High School on Tuesday, April 11, and 19-2 at Gideon (1-5) on Wednesday, April 13.

“It was good to bounce back with a win after a tough loss to East Prairie,” said Oran Jim Eftink. “We’re still not where we need to be but we’ve got time to clean things up. We’re just a little sloppy right now.”

Oran's Molly Spane jogs into home base after hitting home run during a 10-8 win over Malden at Oran High School on Tuesday, April 11. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Oran trailed 6-2 against Malden midway through the third inning. However, the team scored six runs in the inning to take a 9-6 advantage.

Those runs came when Dalaini Bryant scored on a single by Ava Forehand, Taylor Hobbs scored after a batter was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, and on a three-run home run by Molly Spane that scored Kendall Burger and Morgan.

“The game changer for us was Molly Spane’s grand slam,” Eftink said. “That put us ahead and kind of relaxed everyone. She’s come through with some big hits this year.”

Teammates celebrate with Molly Spane after her home run during a 10-8 win over Malden at Oran High School on Tuesday, April 11. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Spane finished the game 2-for-4 with four RBIs and scored two runs. She also earned the complete-game victory on the mound after throwing seven innings and allowing four earned runs on four hits with 14 strikeouts and 11 walks.

Lily Knotts (3-for-4 with two doubles, a RBI and scored a run) and Forehand (2-for-4 with two RBIs and a scored run) were the team's only top players at the plate against the Lady Green Wave.

“Got lots of contributions up and down the lineup,” Eftink said. “We hit the ball against a pretty good pitcher. Malden has always been a tough team for us. If you look back our games are almost always close. “

Oran's Lily Knotts celebrates a double during a 10-8 win over Malden at Oran High School on Tuesday, April 11. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Knotts earned the win on the mound against the Lady Bulldogs. She allowed one earned run on four hits with five strikeouts.

The team's top hitters were Morgan (3-for-4 with two RBIs and four runs scored), Sophie Bryeans (2-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored) and Forehand (2-for-2 with a RBI and a scored run).

“It was a pretty clean game on our part,” Eftink said. “We grabbed a lead in the first inning and controlled the tempo throughout. We had hits up and down the lineup. Good to see the bottom of the order on base and scoring runs.

Oran's Bralynn Morgan prepares for a pitch during a 10-8 win over Malden at Oran High School on Tuesday, April 11. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

“Gideon is rebuilding their program after a couple of years co-opting with Risco so they’re going to have some rough patches,” he continued. “But I wish them well and think they’re on the right track.”

Oran travels to Advance with Bell City (7-3) on Thursday, April 13, and hosts Bloomfield (2-4) on Friday, April 14.

__ORAN 10, MALDEN 8__

Malden 420 002 0 — 8 4 4

Oran 306 100 x — 10 13 2

W—Molly Spane. L—Alyssa Broom. 2B—Malden: Broom; Oran: Lily Knotts (2), Mari Fuemmeler. HR—Malden: Rachel Rommel; Oran: Spane.

__ORAN 19, GIDEON 2, F/6__

Oran 429 040 x — 19 12 1

Gideon 100 01x x — 2 4 5

W—Lily Knotts. L—Allisa Rodgers. 2B—Oran: Bralynn Morgan. 3B—Oran: Dalaini Bryant.