Harrison Central blanks Linsly ahead of sectional opener

The Harrison Central softball team entertained the Linsly Cadets of Wheeling, West Virginia, May 4, earning a 4-0 victory.

The Huskies opened the scoring in the third inning with the only earned run of the contest. After one out, senior Kara Blackburn reached on a walk. Blackburn stole second and scored when Kam Crothers doubled to center field.

Three unearned runs in the sixth inning provided more than enough breathing room for the Huskies. Bailey Smith led off and reached on an error. Courtesy runner Emma Palmer, in for Smith, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Lillian Thomas.

After the Cadets recorded the second out, Emma Jarvis walked. Palmer and Jarvis scored on a triple to right field by Mikayla Pelegreen. An error on a ground ball hit by Blackburn allowed Pelegreen to score.

Pelegreen earned the victory in the circle. She allowed one hit and one walk, both to Cadets catcher Macy Sustik, and struck out nine.

Linsly was charged with three errors, while Harrison Central committed two.

The Huskies recorded eight hits, led by Crothers with a double and single. Pelegreen had a triple, and Denali Stull added a double. Crothers and Blackburn each recorded stolen bases.

The Lady Huskies open sectional tournament play at 5 p.m. May 12 on the Huskies’ home field. The 15-8 Huskies, seeded fourth by the Eastern District softball coaches, will host the 11th-seeded Morgan Raiders of McConnelsville. Morgan enters the game with a 7-14 record and has lost its last five games.