CARTHAGE, Mo. — A seven-run second inning propelled Carthage to a decisive 12-2 victory over Seneca in non-conference softball action on Tuesday at Fair Acres Sports Complex.
Carthage improved to 1-1, while Seneca fell to 0-1.
The Tigers, who suffered a 2-1 loss to McDonald County last Friday in their opener, got the bats going right away.
The Tigers plated two runs in the first, as Landry Cochran doubled, Katie Crowe singled and then Jensyn Elder and Natalie Rodriguez both delivered sacrifice flies.
In the seven-run second inning, Mary Grace Richmond hit a two-run double, Cochran launched a three-run homer, Rodriguez later delivered an RBI double before Elder drove in another run with a ground out, making it 9-0.
The Indians scored two runs on three hits in the fourth. Hunter Beard and Bailey Lannon both had RBI singles.
In the bottom half, Rodriguez hit an RBI single and then Makayla Jennings added a two-run single for a 10-run advantage.
Seneca failed to score in the fifth, and the game ended early due to the run-rule.
Elder was the winning pitcher. She allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out two in three scoreless innings. Kate Potter tossed the final two innings. Sierra Lannon took the loss for Seneca.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Carthage and Seneca will both return to action at the Paige Neal/Christina Freeman softball tourney on Friday at the Joplin Athletic Complex.
Carthage meets Monett at 4, while Seneca takes on Nevada, also at 4.
In other scheduled games on Friday, Carthage takes on Joplin at 5:45 and Carl Junction at 7:30. Seneca meets Webb City at 5:45 and Neosho at 7:30. The tourney wraps up on Saturday.
