Central softball rallies past Lakeview before falling to Belding

MCP/OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Baker Ford Ludington, Fresh Coast Foam, Mission Graphics, Quick-Way, Inc., Smith & Eddy Insurance and Michelle and Andrew Thomas.

LAKEVIEW — Mason County Central split a pair of softball games Saturday, edging Lakeview 7-6 in the opener before dropping a 10-0 decision to Belding in the second game.

In the first game, the Spartans battled through a back-and-forth contest to secure the win.

Payton Cory pitched all seven innings for Mason County Central, striking out four, walking three and allowing eight hits with only two earned runs.

Aubrey Chye led the MCC offense, going 3-for-4 with two triples, two RBIs, two runs scored and a stolen base. Ellen Norman finished 2-for-3 and scored a run.

Graycee Kalush, Cory, Andrea Lopez and Charlee Budreau each added a hit. Kalush drove in a run and Lopez added a stolen base.

“Our first game the score went back and forth,” MCC coach Denise Cory said. “We had good hits at just the right times and fielded the ball well, making good plays when needed. They were determined to win. Proud of them for pushing through that game to a win.”

In the second game, Belding limited Mason County Central to one hit in a 10-0 victory.

Cory pitched two innings, striking out two without issuing a walk while allowing three hits. Chye worked the final three innings, striking out one, walking none and allowing seven hits.

Norman recorded MCC’s lone hit and also stole a base.

“We could not get our bats going in game two,” Denise Cory said. “They had a pitcher that could move the ball. In addition, we had four fielding errors that helped Belding pull away. We will keep working on our defense.”