The game was called in the bottom of the sixth inning, as the 10-run mercy rule was enforced.
Heidi McNeill went the distance on the mound for the Mustangs, allowing two hits, striking out three Dragon batters and walking four. Her record improved to 7-1 for the season (7-0 in the Yadkin Valley Conference)
“It was a bad day to play, especially hard on the pitchers,” said Mustang coach Sammy McNeill after the game. The weather was indeed cold, and it began to drizzle in the last inning.
The Dragons got on the board with one run in the top of the first inning, as Tori Kepley walked, went to second on Jordan Barnes’ sacrifice bunt, advanced to third on a single to center field by Karla Harman, and scored as Carrie Carlisle was safe on an error.
The Mustangs retaliated with five runs in the bottom of the first inning, however, as Ashley Marley bunted safely and stole second and third. Dana Robbins and Bailey Garner both walked, loading the bases, and Marley scored as Casey Wallace grounded out to first. Alicia Hill singled to center field, scoring both Robbins and Garner. Then Holly Montjoy doubled to left field, scoring Hill, and Montjoy scored on a single by Kristin Brown. The score at the end of the first inning was North Moore 5, West Davidson 1.
The Dragons did not score in the top of the second inning, but the Mustangs added two more runs in the bottom of the inning, as Marley drew a base on balls, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored after the catch as McNeill flied out to center field. Garner walked, went to third as Wallace bunted safely, and then stole home as the catcher attempted to pick her off at third base. North Moore led after two innings, 7-1.
Neither team was able to score in the third inning, although West Davidson managed to get a runner as far as third, as Kepley walked and Harman was safe on a fielder’s choice as Kepley was forced at second. Carlisle hit a double into the gap in left-center field, and Harman advanced to third on the play. However, the next batter struck out, ending the Dragons’ scoring threat.
West Davidson did not score in the top of the fourth inning, but the Mustangs added four more runs in the bottom of the inning. Robbins was safe on an error and advanced to second on the play. She then stole third. Garner walked and stole second. Wallace singled to center field, scoring both Robbins and Garner, and stole second. Montjoy singled to left field, scoring Wallace, and stole second, then scored on a single to right field by Melissa Powers. The score at the end of four innings was North Moore 11, West Davidson 1.
The Dragons scored one run in the top of the fifth inning, as Kepley walked for the third time, went to second on a groundout to first, went to third on a groundout to the pitcher, and then scored on a passed ball.
The Mustangs went down in order in the bottom of the fifth inning, as Lindsey Hedrick took over for Erin Hill on the mound for West Davidson. The score at the end of five innings was North Moore 11, West Davidson 2.
The Dragons went down in order in the top of the sixth, but the Mustangs added one run in the bottom of the sixth. Garner singled to left field, went to third when Hill was safe at first on an error, and scored on a passed ball to close out the game, 12-2.
North Moore’s record improved to 11-1 with the win, and the Mustangs are 8-0 in the Yadkin Valley Conference. They were scheduled to play at Randleman on Wednesday and at South Davidson on Thursday.
