Engineer softball rolls past Powell County Pirates, 4-2
The Estill County High School Softball team took on the Pirates of Powell County last Monday night at J.L. Thomas Field. After trailing most of the game the Engineers pulled out the win over the Pirates.
Sophomore pitcher Michaela Gross, who pitched a no-hitter against Model earlier in the season, led the Engineers onto the field for the top of the first inning. Gross struck out Powell County’s leadoff batter. Powell’s second batter would hit a fly ball that wouldn’t make it out of the infield; Cassidy Flynn made the catch for the easy out. Powell’s third batter would hit a fly ball into the outfield; Cheyenne Rawlins caught the ball, which was directly in line with the setting sun. Three batters came up, none of them would reach base in the first inning.
Estill came up to bat and their lead off hitter, Ashleigh Puckett hit a line drive past the short stop and for a single and stole second base. Chelsea Honchell reached base after being walked on a full count. The next three batters were put out by a strikeout and two fly outs. Estill ended the first inning with no runs scored and two runners left on base.
Gross would continue good pitching, striking out the next Pirate batter; however after a strikeout, she walked the next batter. Powell’s Kenzie Barnett hit a double up the middle, Estill made a play at third and putting the runner out, leaving one runner on base. Powell’s fourth batter in the inning, Whitney Cook, hit a double, bringing the runner on second home. Powell was up 1-0 with two outs and one runner on base. Gross would go to work, striking out the next batter.
In the bottom of the second Shelby Arthur hit a fly ball into the outfield, the ball was caught, sending her back to the dugout. Cheyenne Rawlins then reached first after being walked. Estill’s next batter went down on strikes. Rawlins then went to second base after the catcher lost the ball after a pitch during Cassidy Flynn’s at bat, she would have an infield fly out. At the end of two, the Pirates had a one point lead over the Engineers.
Powell’s next batter hit the ball up the middle for a base hit. Gross struck out the next two batters and the final batter of the inning flew out in the infield. Estill held the Pirates scoreless in this half inning.
Estill wouldn’t have much better luck than the Pirates did, lead off hitter Puckett hit a high fly ball into the outfield for an easy out. The next two batters were thrown out at first. Powell held on to their one run lead at the end of three innings.
Powell took to the bats again, and their first batter reached first base off of a line drive up the middle. The next three batters were thrown out at first. Estill held the Pirates scoreless again and left one runner on base. Estill’s next three batters then hit fly balls into the outfield. The fourth inning wasn’t kind to either team, the Pirates still nursing their one run lead.
It was more of the same for the Pirates, their first batter hit a single and the next three then struck out or flew out. The fifth inning was kinder to the Enginners, Cheyenne Rawlins hit a double and Abby Witt followed with a hit moving Rawlins to third. But Witt couldn’t make it to first safely. During Cassidy Flynn’s at bat, Powell’s catcher was charged with another passed ball and Rawlins scored, tying the game, 1-1. Ashleigh Puckett then flew out ending the inning, with the score tied.
Powell’s bats went to work as their first three batters hit singles, and the third batter, Cook, would bring a runner home, giving the lead back to the Pirates. Powell’s next batter became a strikeout victim and the next two Lady Pirates flew out, leaving two runners on base and killing the scoring threat.
Estill felt the pressure and Chelsea Honchell reached first base on an error by Powell County. She then stole second. Estill’s next batter struck out. Krana Puckett then hit a line drive back up the middle and reached first base easily, moving Honchell to third base. Another pitch slipped by the Pirates catcher and Honchell scored, tying the score at two. The next batter then hit a good ball, but the short stop made a good catch and the batter was out. With one runner on and two outs, Shelby Arthur hit a single, bringing a runner in giving the Engineers a one run lead. Cheyenne Rawlins hit another single loading the bases with two outs. Estill’s next batter then reached base after being walked, bringing another runner home. Estill then had a flyout, ending the inning with Estill up 4-2.
Powell has the pressure on them, they needed to score at least two runs to keep the game alive, but they fell short, not scoring a single run in the final inning.
After trailing the Pirates most of the game, Estill came through in their final at bat, giving them the win over rival Powell County. Estill is in Second place in the 14th region standings with a record of 10-4, they’re only two games back from Jenkins (12-3). Estill will face off against Owsley County on Monday April 16 at 5. Be sure to come out and support your Engineers!