On the strength of another prolific offensive showing, the Houston High School softball team handily defeated another tough team Thursday at Carter Field, this time routing Plato, 16-5.
The Lady Tigers scored in 5 of the 6 innings in the run-rule shortened contest and amassed 12 hits.
The Lady Eagles (who came into the contest at No. 3 in the latest Class 1 state rankings) got on the board first when senior shortstop Makayla Fletcher smashed a 3-run home run over the center field fence in the top of the first inning.
But Houston evened the score in the bottom of the frame with 3 runs on 4 hits and a sacrifice fly.
After Plato was blanked in the top of the second, the Lady Tigers got 5 more runs in their half of the inning with a rally including a 2-run double by junior second baseman Katy Evans.
Houston added a run in the bottom of the fourth inning on a lead-off home run to left by junior Lilly Kincaid (the first of her career) and then scored 4 times in the fifth frame with a rally including an RBI single by senior Katy Scheets and an RBI double by Kincaid.
The Lady Eagles were held scoreless again in the top of the sixth inning, which ended on a double play when Evans picked up a ground ball, stepped on second and threw over to junior first baseman Ashley Gilbert.
In the bottom of the frame, the Lady Tigers went ahead 14-5 when Gilbert smacked an RBI double and the game ended when senior shortstop Sophia Crites banged an RBI triple to right field and then scored on an error.
Kincaid (batting lead-off) finished with a perfect day at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a homer, a double, a walk, 3 RBIs and 4 runs scored. Gilbert continued to swing a hot bat, going 3-for-4 with a double, 2 RBIs and run, while Evans and Scheets each had 2 hits, 2 RBIs and 2 runs.
Kincaid had another strong outing in the pitcher’s circle, going the distance while scattering 8 hits and issuing only 2 walks. Houston’s defense was solid, committing only 1 error while Kincaid didn’t record a strikeout.
After Kincaid’s round-tripper, eight different Lady Tigers have homered this season.
Senior first baseman Carli Cook also homered for the Lady Eagles (18-8), cracking a solo shot in the top of the third inning.
Through 21 games this season, Houston (14-7) has outscored the opposition 266-170.
DISTRICT TOURNAMENT
The Class 2 District 4 Tournament will take place at Mountain Grove, with the first round scheduled for Thursday, May 8.
Houston is seeded third in the 8-team bracket and will face No. 6 Liberty in the first round. Other matchups include No. 1 Thayer vs. No. 8 Cabool, No. 4 Willow Springs vs. No. 5 Mountain Grove and No. 2 Ava vs. No. 7 Seymour.
The Lady Tigers are seeking a fourth consecutive district championship.
