MCC JV rallies past Eastern varsity in softball doubleheader

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CUSTER — Mason County Central’s junior varsity softball team rallied late in both games Monday, sweeping Mason County Eastern in a doubleheader at St. Mary’s Field.

The Spartans won the opener 7-3 before edging the Cardinals 10-9 in walk-off fashion in the nightcap.

In Game 1, Eastern collected five hits to Central’s four, but a six-run sixth inning lifted the Spartans to victory.

The Cardinals tied the game 1-1 in the second inning when Hope Figgins doubled to left field after a seven-pitch at-bat. Eastern took a 3-1 lead in the fifth on RBI singles from Bryanna Hasenbank and Remington Smith.

Central answered in the sixth, scoring six runs on three hits. Syren Cohoon delivered the key hit with a two-run single on an 0-2 pitch.

Avery Miller earned the pitching win for MCC, allowing five hits and three runs over six innings while striking out eight and walking four. Miley Kessel took the loss for Eastern despite striking out eight.

Serenity Nead led Central offensively with two hits, an RBI and two runs scored. Cohoon added a two-run single, while Lexi Lemire contributed a sacrifice bunt and RBI.

For Eastern, Figgins, Smith, Hasenbank, Emma Whitaker and Anna Story each had one hit.

The second game featured multiple lead changes before Central secured the win in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Eastern jumped ahead 2-0 in the first inning after Kessel walked and Bridget Whitaker grounded out to drive in runs. Central responded with three runs in the bottom half of the inning on a two-run single by Brielle Cerka and an RBI groundout by Ashley DeLeon.

The Cardinals reclaimed the lead in the third inning when Whitaker singled home two runs and an error plated another run. Eastern extended the advantage to 8-5 in the fourth on a two-run single by Whitaker and an RBI double from Brailyn Johnson.

Central rallied again in the sixth inning. Lemire, Miller and Anya Shatova each drew bases-loaded walks before Brooke Hawke drove in the winning run on a fielder’s choice.

Hawke earned the complete-game victory for MCC, allowing nine runs, five earned, on nine hits while striking out six.

Whitaker paced Eastern offensively, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Kessel also had three hits, while Johnson added two hits. Kessel and Emma Whitaker each stole multiple bases.

Cerka led Central with two hits and two RBIs. Lemire and Kathryn Vinton each drove in two runs.

MCC coach Jeanne Miller praised her team’s resilience.

“I’m proud of the girls for taking two tonight,” Miller said. “They stayed the course mentally, played over a few errors and our offense showed up at the right time.”

Eastern coach Jenn Whitaker said the Cardinals showed improvement despite the losses.

“Overall we had better composure with base runners in scoring position, which makes me very happy,” Whitaker said. “With our team also being very young it was a fun matchup tonight, with the score going back and forth, lots of hits and plays were made.”