Western Boone Jr. - Sr. High School

Both Jr High Softball teams were in action at North Putnam Thursday night earning two victories. The B Team got things started and led the whole way, gradually building their lead with one run in each of the first four endings. After letting the Cougars score their run in the bottom of the 4th, the Stars exploded with an 8 run 5th inning to win it going away, 12-1. Addi Gregg pitched all 5 innings. The hurler only gave up one hit, no earned runs, no walks, and struck out 6 in an impressive outing. The offense was led by Aubree Franklin and Gregg with two hits each. Saylor Princell drew 4 walks. Jo McNamee (double), Aleena Beck (double), Lexi Lenehan, Jayden Paris, subbing for Lenehan who reaggravated an ankle injury sliding into 2nd, and Kenzie Mikesell also collected hits. Amelia Stambro had the only other walk. Princell also led the team with 4 stolen bases. There were several outstanding outs on the base paths. In the first inning, a ground ball to pitcher Gregg garnered an out on the throw to first baseman Lenehan who then threw home to catcher McNamee to tag a runner trying to score and ending the inning. In the 4th inning, Stambro threw to shortstop Princell from center field to get a runner out advancing to 2nd. The last out of the game was a beautifully executed run down of a runner caught between 3rd and home by McNamee, Princell, Mikesell, and Gregg. In the second game, the A Team bounced back from Wednesday’s loss on a big way. The Stars put up runs in each of the 4 innings to cruise to a 14-2 victory. Aleena Beck and Addi Gregg each were walked twice while Sullie Smith was walked once. But the bats were the star of the show as 12 hits were collected. Jayden Paris led the way, going 3 for 4 with two doubles. Jo McNamee would add a double of her own. Jade Hobson and Cora Reagan had two hits apiece while Smith, Beck, Gregg, and Kenzie Mikesell each added a hit of their own. Gregg led the attack on the base paths with 3 stolen bases. Hobson had 2 and Beck, Reagan, and Paris added one of their own. North Putnam attempted a small ball approach, bunting many times throughout the game. But the infield of Reagan, Hobson, Smith, Gregg, Mikesell, and Paris were up to the challenge. They scored all the outs as no balls were hit to the outfield. Reagan completed the game on the mound only surrendering 1 hit. She gave up no earned runs while striking out 3 and walking one. Next up for both teams is a trip to Tri-West on Monday.