Shoup, Smith lead Cardinals past Suttons Bay twice

SUTTONS BAY — Remington Smith collected three hits in four at-bats Wednesday as Mason County Eastern swept Suttons Bay in a non-conference varsity softball doubleheader, winning 14-2 and 23-17.

In the opener, Smith doubled in the fifth inning and finished with three hits to lead the Cardinals’ offense.

Alice Shoup earned her first varsity pitching win, allowing three hits and one unearned run over four innings while striking out seven and walking one.

Suttons Bay’s Gordon took the loss after allowing 14 runs, five earned, on eight hits over 4 2/3 innings. Gordon struck out seven and walked five.

Hasenbank added two hits for MCE, while Shoup, Emma Whitaker and Bridget Whitaker each had one hit.

In the nightcap, Shoup drove in four runs on six hits to power the Cardinals to a 23-17 victory.

Shoup doubled in the second inning to score two runs, tripled in the fifth to plate two more, and added RBI singles in the fourth and sixth innings.

Eastern finished with 13 hits, while Suttons Bay totaled 10.

Suttons Bay grabbed a 4-3 lead in the first inning after Marshall doubled home a run, Schichtel added an RBI single and Anys singled to drive in two runs.

The Cardinals responded with five runs in the second inning to take an 8-4 lead. Shoup’s two-run double highlighted the rally.

MCE added six runs in the fourth inning. Emma Whitaker singled to score two runs, a dropped third strike brought home another run, Bridget Whitaker grounded out to score one run, Shoup added an RBI single and Hope Figgins grounded out to drive in another run.

The Cardinals scored five more runs in the fifth inning. Johnson drew a bases-loaded walk, Whitaker was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, Shoup tripled home two runs and Lily Meaney walked to force in another run.

Johnson earned the pitching win after allowing six hits and five runs, four earned, over three innings while striking out three and walking two.

Gordon took the loss for Suttons Bay after surrendering five runs, one earned, in two-thirds of an inning. Ingwersen started in the circle for Suttons Bay, allowing 17 runs, seven earned, on 11 hits over 5 1/3 innings with six strikeouts and nine walks.

Raegan Brynelsen and Shoup both pitched in relief for Mason County Eastern.

Remington Smith and W. Whitaker each had multiple hits for the Cardinals, who also drew 10 walks.

Gordon and Odyer collected two hits apiece for Suttons Bay.

“Tonight was a fun and exciting night of softball,” MCE coach Jenn Whitaker said. “We drove a long way but each team came out and hit the ball and gave the defense some good opportunities to make plays.

“We were able to put a couple younger pitchers on the rubber and they performed well. Defensively we only had six errors on the night, which was pretty impressive with the aggressive hitting of Suttons Bay. Our outfield got some opportunities to work on throwing in front of runners and was able to make a perfect relay for a throw out at home.

“We needed these wins after the last few games taking the loss in the last inning of play.”

The Cardinals will play at White Cloud on Friday.