Varsity Softball: MCC defeats Montague in tight doubleheader at home

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Photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief

SCOTTVILLE — Mason County Central split the difference between sloppy and sharp Thursday, using a late push to edge Montague 9-8 in the opener before cruising to a 12-0 win in the nightcap at Spartan Community Field.

The Spartans showed resilience in Game 1, overcoming defensive miscues to secure the one-run victory. Payton Cory started in the circle, working 5 1/3 innings while allowing four hits, striking out one and walking one. Aubrey Chye closed out the sixth inning, striking out two.

MCC’s offense was led by Jordyn Melvin, who went 4-for-4 with a stolen base. Chye added a 2-for-3 performance with a walk and a steal. Graycee Kalush, Andrea Lopez and Addison Copsey each contributed a hit, while Ellen Norman and Charlee Budreau drew two walks apiece. Lacie Salander also reached via walk.

The Spartans cleaned things up in Game 2, both defensively and on the scoreboard, blanking Montague behind a strong pitching performance from Chye. She tossed a two-hit shutout over five innings, striking out two and walking two.

At the plate, Budreau and Mackenzie Carney each went 1-for-2 with a walk. Cory was patient throughout, drawing walks in all four plate appearances. Chye, Kalush and Melvin each recorded a hit, with Kalush driving in two runs. Norman and Melvin each added an RBI.

MCC coach Denise Cory noted the contrast between the two games.

“Game one we made many baserunning and fielding errors,” Cory said. “Game two, again we had a clean defense with no errors. We will keep working with a goal to play two clean defensive games.”