The McDonald County softball team has raced off to a 2-0 record after a 9-2 victory Tuesday over Aurora.
McDonald County tallied three runs in the first inning to grab the lead and then added four runs in the seventh and final inning to boost its lead.
In the first inning, Ashton Pratt reached on an error and was joined on the bases after Joni Hanke walked. The two scored on Sam Meador’s two-run triple. Meador then trekked home on Sarah Rickman’s sacrifice fly.
Aurora got back two runs in the third inning, but the Lady Mustangs tallied two runs in the fifth and then four in the seventh to account for the seven-run differential.
In the fifth inning, Pratt singled and Hanke drew another walk to set the stage for Rickman’s two-run single.
In the seventh inning, a few errors allowed the Lady Mustangs to further extended their lead. Rickman got a one-out walk and then moved up on a Taylor Pearcy hit, which was misplayed. A second straight error, on Haley Turner’s hit, allowed a run to score. A passed ball on a third strike loaded the bases.
Stormy Christerson came through with an RBI groundout to bring home a second run. Kelsey Reynolds’ fly ball was dropped and the third run of the inning scored.
Pearcy gave up five hits and struck out two to earn her second win for McDonald County.
The Lady Mustangs play at 3:30 p.m. Thursday against Neosho and Seneca at 5:30 p.m. in the Joplin Tournament at Missouri Southern.
