Central ends Baker softball year

Central, based in Independence, overpowered the Bulldogs to the tune of 13-3 in five innings. It was Baker’s first loss in its last 12 games.

“I’ll take 11-1 in the second half of the season,” said Baker coach Al McCauley.

Baker finished its season 16-11.

“We ran into a buzz saw in Central,” McCauley said.

“Their 1-2-3 hitters were the best bunters and slap hitters I’ve seen,” the Baker coach said.

Leadoff hitter Amanda McLean finished 4-for-4, all on bunts and slap hits. The Cougars finished with 13 hits as a team.

Baker helped Central’s cause with some shaky defense.

“Defensively, we’ve been pretty sound all season,” McCauley said. “But with their speed we tried to force the ball and make some plays that didn’t work out today.”

Central bunched four consecutive hits to score two runs in the bottom of the first.

Four hits, a sacrifice and an error led to four more runs in the second. Two more hits, two walks, a sacrifice and another error accounted for four more runs in the third.

Baker scored all three of its runs in the top of the fifth. Rebecca Joseph and Morgan Johnson drew back-t-back walks. Then with two outs Savannah Daly walked to load the bases. Tara Talbott then hit a ground ball to third where the Central third baseman threw the ball away for a two-run error.

“We had the bases loaded and Tara up with a 3-1 count,” McCauley said. “Their pitcher threw a change up and Tara hit a ground ball to third.”

Central then ended the game by 10-run rule with three runs in the bottom of the inning.

Baker managed just one hit, a second-inning Darryn McCauley single, and struck out nine times.

Baker    0    0    0    0    3    —    3

Central    2    4    4    0    3    —    13

Brown, Srack (3) and Joseph. Auer, Kenyon (5), Auer (5) and Cole. WP – Auer. LP – Brown.

Baker hits – McCauley.

Baker RBI – none.