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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.
CUSTER — Mason County Eastern used strong pitching and timely hitting to sweep Pentwater in a West Michigan D League softball doubleheader Monday at St. Mary’s Field.
The Cardinals won the opener 4-2 before taking the nightcap 8-2.
In the first game, Mason County Eastern broke through in the second inning when Alice Shoup reached on a fielder’s choice that scored a run. The Cardinals added two more runs in the inning to build a 3-0 lead.
Miley Kessel earned the win for MCE, allowing five hits and two runs, one earned, over six innings. She struck out nine and did not issue a walk while recording her 500th career strikeout.
Pentwater’s Aubrie Adams took the loss, pitching five innings and allowing four runs, none earned, on four hits with five strikeouts and two walks.
Remington Smith, Bryanna Hasenbank, Emma Whitaker and Anna Story each had a hit for the Cardinals. Kessel and Shoup each drove in a run.
In the second game, the bottom of the Mason County Eastern lineup sparked the Cardinals offensively in the 8-2 victory.
Story and Shoup combined for six of MCE’s 12 hits, while scoring three runs and driving in two. Hasenbank went 3-for-3 at the plate.
Kessel picked up her second win of the day, allowing three hits and two runs, one earned, over six innings. She struck out nine and walked five.
Adams suffered the loss for Pentwater after allowing eight runs, three earned, on 12 hits over six innings. She struck out eight and walked two.
Hasenbank, Story and Shoup each collected three hits for the Cardinals. Kessel and Hasenbank each drove in two runs. Bridget Whitaker, Smith and Kessel added singles. Mason County Eastern also turned a double play defensively.
Pentwater was led by Swanger, who went 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Mason County Eastern coach Jennifer Whitaker praised her team’s effort following the sweep.
“Tonight was an exciting conference game,” Whitaker said. “Miley did a great job on the mound and collected her 500th career strikeout. I am proud of the work these girls are putting in. They played aggressive and got the job done.”
The Cardinals travel to Hesperia on Thursday.
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Quick-Way, Inc., 1004 Conrad Industrial Dr., Ludington, 231-845-6520, qkwa.net
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Michelle and Andrew Thomas
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