Spane’s heroics propel Oran to 8-1 win over SCC

SIKESTON — Molly Spane was a force to be reckoned with on the mound and at the plate during Oran’s 8-1 win at Scott County Central on Wednesday, April 26.

It’s no wonder Spane is considered one of the top players in the state. She showcased her incredible skills by striking out 18 batters and not allowing any earned runs or hits. She also went 2-for-3 at the plate with a home run, two RBIs and scored a run.

“[Spane] was a machine today,” said Oran coach Jim Eftink. “She pitched well and was in command on the mound. She had double-digit strikeouts and stayed focused. Her home run in the bottom of the first inning was big. It came with two outs and the first homer on Scott County Central’s new field — which is a very nice facility.”

Oran's Allison Burke (5) slides into third base during an 8-1 win at Scott County Central on Wednesday, April 26. (Submitted by Jeannie Knotts)

The Lady Eagles (15-6) gained a 1-0 advantage with Spane’s home run in the top of the first inning, but the Bravettes (9-10) evened the score in the bottom of the inning when Maddy Carlisle stole home base.

Oran snapped the tie in the top of the second inning when Caroline Brashears scored on the throw following a single by Sophie Bryeans and extended the lead to 5-1 in the top of the third inning.

Those runs came when Spane hit a single and Kendall Burger scored and when Allison Burke and Lily Knotts scored on ground outs.

Oran's Taylor Hobbs (8) celebrates after a hit during a 16-1 win over New Madrid County Central on Tuesday, April 25. (Submitted by Jeannie Knotts)

Brashears scored Ava Forehand on a single and Bryeans singled to score Brashears to increase the lead to 7-1 in the top of the fifth inning.

Brashears finished the game 3-for-4 with a RBI and two runs, while Bryeans went 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

“That was probably [Brashears] best game of the year,” Eftink said. “We had some big hits from both Brashears and Bryeans.”

The Lady Eagles’ final run came in the top of the seventh inning then Mari Fuemmeler scored after tagging up.

“I want to tip my hat to [SCC coach Tim] Carlisle and [assistant coach Joey] Seiler and the Scott County Central players,” Eftink said. “They’re on the right track and have really improved the softball program. A new field and a new attitude. Very good job.”

Khloe Tolle took the loss after pitching all seven innings and allowing seven earned runs on nine hits with five strikeouts and six walked batters.

“Oran played a great game, behind solid pitching,” said SCC coach Tim Carlisle. “We weren’t able to hit the ball very well today at all. On the bright side, we were able to play seven innings against a good team, so that makes me super proud of my girls.”

Both teams were coming off of double-digit wins from the previous day.

Oran won 16-1 over New Madrid County Central (3-13) in four innings on Tuesday, April 25. The victory snapped a two-game losing streak for the Lady Eagles.

“It was nice to break out of a slump,” Eftink said. “We had lost three of four going into this game including a nine-inning loss to East Carter the day before—so we needed to get things in order.”

Knotts threw all four innings and allowed one earned run on two hits with three strikeouts.

“[Knotts] was sharp on the mound but we had some nice defensive plays,” Eftink said. “It was probably our best defensive game of the year. We turned a double play and made some solid plays on a couple of tough ground balls.”

Oran’s top performers at the plate were Spane (2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and two runs) and Taylor Hobbs (2-for-3 with three RBIs and one run).

Bralynn Morgan, Knotts and Forehand each had one hit. Forehand added two RBIs and two stolen bases.

“We had several solid hits— and even some of our outs were hard-hit balls,” Eftink concluded. “That’s encouraging because lately, we haven’t been hitting the ball as well as we should.”

SCC won 13-3 over Clarkton (0-11) in five innings on Tuesday, April 25.

“It’s always nice to get a win,” Carlisle concluded. “The girls have been working extremely hard and I can’t remember the last time SCC has had a nine-win season. Briley Couch had a great game offensively and has really started to come along this season.”

Briley Couch went 3-for-3 with a double, five RBIs and scored two runs.

Carlisle earned the complete-game win on the mound after she allowed one earned run on five hits with four strikeouts and two walked batters. She also had a triple, a RBI and scored two runs.

Oran will travel to Portageville (12-9) on Thursday, April 27, and to Woodland (7-5) on Monday, May 1.

SCC hosts Delta (4-8) on Friday, April 28, and is on the road at NMCC on Monday, May 1.

__ORAN 8, SCOTT COUNTY CENTRAL 1__

Oran 113 020 1 — 8 9 1

SCC 100 000 0 — 1 0 3

W—Molly Spane. L—Khloe Tolle. 2B—Oran: Caroline Brashears. HR—Oran: Spane.

__ORAN 16, NEW MADRID COUNTY CENTRAL 1, F/4__

NMCC 000 1xx x — 1 2 3

Oran 229 3xx x — 16 7 1

W—Lily Knotts. L—Emma Howard. 2B—Oran: Molly Spane. 3B—Bralynn Morgan.

__SCOTT COUNTY CENTRAL 13, CLARKTON 3__

Clarkton 000 30x x — 3 5 6

SCC 440 05x x — 13 8 1

W—Maddy Carlisle. L—Angel Johnson. 2B—Scott County Central: Briley Couch. 3B—Scott County Central: Carlisle.