Oran claims victory over Naylor in a hard-fought battle

ORAN, Mo. — Molly Spane hit three doubles and recorded 10 strikeouts on the mound for the Oran (7-1) during a 10-6 comeback win over the Naylor (2-5) on Tuesday, April 4 at Oran High School.

“Despite falling behind the team didn’t give up,” said Oran coach Jim Eftink. “They scratched and clawed for every run, and we had a pretty good game defensively. We had Sophie Bryeans throw a strike from the outfield to nail a runner at the plate. That was just a perfect throw and our catcher Bralynn Morgan held on despite some contact on a bang-bang play.”

Naylor gained a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning after Haley Sullivan scored on a wild pitch and Makayla Wheatley singled to drive n Chloe Mitchell and Haley Sullivan.

Oran answered in the bottom of the inning and narrowed the lead to 3-2 after runs from Dalaini Bryant and Spane.

Alexis Holcomb scored a run in the top of the second inning and Peyton Hopkins scored after a bases-loaded walk in the fourth inning to extend the lead to 4-2.

However, Oran gained its first lead in the bottom of the fourth inning after scoring six runs. Those scores came when Caroline Brashears scored on a bases-loaded walk; Spane doubled to drive Bryant, Bralynn Morgan and Ava Knotts, Lily Knotts doubled to score Spane; and Lily Knotts stole home base.

“Naylor always has a good hitting team and they gave us fits all day long,” Eftink said. “We fell behind and we had an uphill battle. Finally caught up to them when Spane hit that bases-loaded double. That was a big hit.”

Oran extended the lead to 9-5 in the bottom of the fifth inning when Brashears scored on a single by Bryant.

Taylor Hobbs stole home plate for Oran’s final run in the sixth inning and increased the lead to 10-5.

Naylor's last run came in the top of the seventh inning after Sullivan stole home base.

Spane pitched six total innings and allowed two earned runs on one hit and eight walked batters.

Lily Knotts started the game and pitched two innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits with a strikeout and walked batter.

Destiny Thomas took the loss for Naylor. She pitched six innings and allowed eight earned runs on seven hits with six strikeouts and nine walked batters.

Naylor will travel to Holcomb (7-3) on Friday, April 7, while Oran will host Malden (7-3) on Tuesday, April 11.

__ORAN 10, NAYLOR 6__

Naylor 310 100 1 — 6 6 1

Oran 200 061 1 — 10 7 2

W—Molly Spane. L—Destiny Thomas. 2B—Oran: Spane (3), Lily Knotts.