Oran knocks off Dexter 8-2, Ava Forehand swipes five bags

ORAN, Mo. — The Oran softball has been on a roll this season, and that continued with an 8-2 win over Dexter on Monday, April 3.

The Lady Eagles (6-1) star pitcher Molly Spane was in top form, striking out 14 batters over seven innings and allowing just one earned run on four hits.

“Got to give Spane a lot of credit,” said Oran coach Jim Eftink. “She had 14 strikeouts on the mound and her fastball has some zip on it.”

Oran's Kendall Burger (10) takes a swing during an 8-2 win over Dexter at Oran High School on Monday, April 3. (Submitted by Jeannie Knotts)

Oran managed just six hits in the game but received a big boost from pinch-runner Ava Forehand, who finished the game with five stolen bases.

“We had to work for our runs,” Eftink said. “[Forehand] is turning into a real weapon even when she’s not starting.”

Taylor Hobbs and Caroline Brashears scored the first runs of the game in the bottom of the second inning off an error. The Lady Eagles extended the lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the third inning when Forehand stole home plate.

Oran's Molly Spane (2) prepares to throw a pitch during an 8-2 win over DExter at Oran High School on Monday, April 3. (Submitted by Jeannie Knotts)

Dexter narrowed the lead to 3-2 in the top of the fourth inning after Amelia Jenkins single to score Kinleigh Chappel and Jenkins stole home base.

However, Oran was able to get some more cushion in the bottom of the inning when Kendall Burger and Brashear scored on an error. The Lady Eagles increased the lead to 7-2 later in the inning when Bralynn Morgan and Forehand each stole home base.

“For the most part Molly Spane and Lily Knotts have been carrying us offensively this season,” Eftink said. “But this game showed that the team can win even when those two are not ripping doubles or home runs. Players like Forehand, Morgan, Burger and Hobbs came through for us at the plate and on the bases.”

Oran plated its final run in the bottom of the sixth inning when Morgan scored on a pop fly to right field by Spane.

Dexter (1-2) finished the game with four hits. Those came from Alexis Sisk, Jenkins, Emily Hester and Chappell.

Jenkins took the loss after throwing six innings and allowing two earned runs on six hits with 10 strikeouts and four walked batters.

Oran hosts Naylor (2-4) on Tuesday, April 4, and travels to East Prairie (1-3) on Thursday, April 6.

Dexter is on the road at Malden (5-3) on Tuesday, April 4, and hosts Bloomfield (1-3) on Wednesday, April 5.

__ORAN 8, DEXTER 2__

Dexter 000 200 0 — 2 4 2

Oran 021 401 x — 8 6 2

W—Molly Spane. L—A Jenkins.