Oran’s Knotts and Spane continue hot streak in win over Delta

ORAN, Mo. — Lily Knotts and Molly Spane both continued hot streaks by delivering clutch plays during Oran’s 13-4 win over Delta on Thursday, March 30.

Knotts earned the win on the mound after pitching five innings and allowing one earned run on five hits with five strikeouts and one walked batter. She also went 3-for-4 with two doubles, and four RBIs and scored a run. Spane pitched the final two innings and struck out three with one walk while not allowing any runs or hits. Spane finished 2-for-3 at the plate with a home run, and three RBIs and scored three times.

“I liked some of our at-bats with two outs,” said Oran coach Jim Eftink. “Knotts had a bases-loaded double with two outs. If she doesn’t come through in that situation we wouldn’t have scored that inning and it would have given Delta a lot the momentum. Shane’s home run was key to getting the win too. We had just given up a run in the first and she answers with a three-run homer. It was a jumpstart. After that everyone relaxed and the whole team started hitting.”

Knotts has been on a tear since the start of the season. She’s batting .522 with a team-leading 12 hits and 17 RBIs.

“Knotts has hit the ball hard since she was a freshman,” said Oran coach Jim Eftink. “The difference this year is her line drives are finding the holes. In the past, her line drivers were right at someone. She loves softball and it’s great to see her succeed both at the plate and in the mound. She’s a competitor.”

Dalainie Bryant also had a big day at the plate, going 3-for-5 with an RBI and three runs. Bryant leads the Lady Eagles (5-1) with a .556 batting average so far this season.

”Bryant is making her presence felt,” Eftink said. “She’s stepped up her game and is taking on a leadership role. I’ve had her hitting in various spots, but will eventually have her in the five-slot behind Spane And Knotts.”

Oran’s other top performers at the plate and on the bases were Taylor Hobbs (2-for-4, RBI and two runs), Caroline Brashear (2-for-4 with two runs), Kendall Burger (1-for-4 and RBI), Ava Forehand (1-for-4 and RBI), Mari Fuemmeler (1-for-3) and Bralynn Morgan (stolen bases and two runs).

Sadie Hornbuckle pitched all six innings for Delta (1-1). She allowed nine earned runs on 15 hits with six strikeouts and two walks.

The Ladycats' top hitters were Presley Holweg (2-for-4 and a run), Grace Ancell(1-for-3 and an RBI), Olivia Wagoner (1-for-4 and an RBI), Addison Nichols (1-for-3 and a run), Trinity Vandeven (run), Jolie Scherer (run).

Oran travels to Dexter (0-1) on Monday, April 3, while Delta is at Scott City (3-3) on Tuesday, April 4.

__ORAN 13, DELTA 4__

Delta 111 010 0 — 4 5 5

Oran 323 320 x — 13 15 7

W—Lily Knotts. L— Hornbuckle. 2B—Oran: Knotts (2). HR—Oran: Spane.