The Chillicothe Lady Hornets softball team played their first MEC game of the season on Tuesday night in St. Joseph against Lafayette. The Lady Hornets and the Lady Irish both put on heroic defensive efforts, most notably in the circle.
Chillicothe started junior Landry Marsh at pitcher, she went over five innings, striking out seven batters, while surrendering just three hits and blanking Lafayette on the scoreboard. Brynsli McKinney matched Marsh in the pitchers duel. The Lady Irish pitcher managed a complete game, not allowing an earned run, however in the top of the 5th inning, with two outs and nobody on base for Chillicothe, the Lady Hornets made their mark. Maicee Albrecht was walked, then another walk moved Albrecht to 2nd base when Kenzie Fleener belted a ball into center field. The line drive bounced out of the glove of Lafayette’s center fielder, allowing Albrecht to come home for the go ahead run.
With Chillicothe ahead 1-0 midway through the 6th, Marsh stepped off the rubber and freshman Jordan Foster entered looking to preserve the lead. Facing two baserunners against just one out, Foster delivered, keeping Chillicothe ahead. Then Foster returned to close out the 7th inning without allowing a hit. Chillicothe managed just five hits on the night but behind excellent pitching and defense kept their conference rival off the scoreboard narrowly prevailing 1-0.
The critical MEC win moves Chillicothe to 8-1, 1-0 in conference. Coach Lee Rucker and the Lady Hornets will be back on the road Thursday at Excelsior Springs before hosting the Chillicothe Tournament at Danner Park this weekend.