Oran takes down Bernie

BERNIE, Mo. — Oran earned a 5-3 win at Bernie on Thursday, March 23.

Lilly Knotts recorded 10 strikeouts on the mound for the Lady Eagles (2-0), while Molly Spane provided the bulk of the offense, going 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs.

“Knotts came through for us on the mound,” said Oran coach Jim Eftink. “She had command throughout the game, but we struggled offensively. We had seven hits total and they were strung out so we couldn’t get a rally going. Also, we had too many strikeouts. We’ll be working on that in the coming days.”

Molly Spane lays down a bunt during Oran's 7-4 win over Risco/Gideon in the MSHSAA Class 1 District 2 Championship at Oran High School on Wednesday, May 11. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Knotts earned the win with a complete game effort while allowing three runs on four hits.

Oran got on the scoreboard first when Mari Fuemmeler scored on an error.

The Lady Eagles tacked on four more runs in the top of the fifth inning to extend the lead to 5-0. Those runs came when Bralynn Morgan, Sophie Bryeans and Fuemmeler scored on a double by Spane, and when Spane scored on a single by Knotts.

Bernie (0-2) responded in the bottom of the inning, scoring three runs before Oran was able to stop the rally in its tracks.

Those runs came when Kealea Powell scored on a wild pitch, Macie Botsch scored on an error and Blair Pleimling scored on a single by Alexa Dillinger.

“Bernie’s a scrappy team and very young,” Eftink said. “As usual coach [Brad] Botsch has them fundamentally sound.”

Bernie is scheduled to play in the Puxico Softball Tournament on Saturday, March 25, while Oran will host Neelyville (0-0) on Monday, March 27.

__ORAN 5, BERNIE 3__

Oran 010 040 0 — 5 7 1

Bernie 000 030 0 — 3 4 1

W—Lilly Knotts. L—Mikalyn Kirkwood. 2B—Oran: Molly Spane; Bernie: Rylie Powell.