Elkette softball splits scrimmages Thursday against Leedey, Seiling
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- Published on Thursday, 02 August 2012 15:35
Elk City falls to Leedey, beats Seiling
Tyler Palmateer
Daily Elk Citian
As it did a few days ago, the Elk City High School softball team split its games at the Leedey Team Camp Thursday, falling to Leedey High School 9-2, then posting a 2-1 win over Seiling.
The day's first scrimmage against LHS was close early on — the Elkettes trailed just 3-2 in the top of the second — but in the bottom half of the inning the Lady Bison embarked on a six-run rally. Taya Hayney pitched for LHS, while Madison Hughes threw for ECHS.
ECHS head coach Lindsey Mudgett said there may have been an intimidation factor in her team playing the always-talented Leedey squad.
"I didn't like that we came out scared, and I know that's because of [Leedey's] program, but one thing I'm trying to instill in my girls is whether it's Leedey, Jenks, Union, Yukon, Tuttle… you have to go out and compete."
The Elkettes righted the ship quickly against Seiling, as Tori Schones recorded one of her three strikeouts on the day in the first inning, and catcher Jacquie Cheatham caught a runner stealing second. The defense remained solid as ECHS committed just two errors unofficially the rest of the way.
In the bottom of the second, Cheatham was advanced by Kailin Craig's double to right field, then got ECHS on the board when she scored off a wild pitch. In the bottom of the third, Landie Forrester's RBI infield base hit scored Rachel Lamar, giving the Elkettes a 2-0 lead.
Torei Morning finished the game against Seiling for ECHS, netting two strikeouts and giving up one unearned run.
The Elkettes will play a scrimmage at home Monday at 4:30 p.m. against Leedey, then begin regular season play Tuesday with a double-header against Hobart at home. Game times for the regular season opener are 4:00 and 6:00 p.m.
LEEDEY CAMP: DAY 1 NOTEBOOK
The Elk City High School softball team took part in scrimmages at the Leedey Team Camp Tuesday, topping Mooreland 2-1 in the first outing, then falling 8-2 to Vici in the afternoon’s second game.
Down early in both games, ECHS head coach Lindsey Mudgett said she was pleased in the fight her team showed, especially considering temperatures soared past 100 degrees.
“I thought it went well all-around. I know the girls were pretty excited about how they performed. That second game [against Vici] got a little sloppy, they got kind of unfocused. It was really hot but they didn’t deal with it how they should have.”
BASE-RUNNING AN EMPHASIS
Since this season’s first practices, the ECHS coaching staff has emphasized aggressive base-running. Mudgett said the team spends a lot of time discussing making a hard jump to the next base, and being ready for bobbles or ball passes.
The message seems to be sinking into the ECHS players’ heads, namely Kailin Craig, who turned a base hit into a triple when a Mooreland leftfielder over-threw the cutoff.
“Kailin is an awesome athlete, and has natural ability to run really well,” Mudgett said. “We’re just really working on finding a way for her to get on base, whether it’s a bunt, base hit, or error. She’s someone we’ll be able to score.”
HOT GAMES
Tuesday, a car thermometer of a spectator at the Leedey Camp showed a whopping 114 degree temperature.
The conditions may have had an effect on the Elkettes, who suffered the Vici loss in the hottest part of the day.
Madison Hughes pitched in the first game against Mooreland, then closed the contest against Vici. She said it’s a simple matter of concentration when it comes to playing in severe heat.
“We just need to stay focused. You get caught up in yourself and you don’t work as hard.”
Mudgett confirmed the heat had an effect on her team’s focus, but said it can’t use that as an excuse.
“A lot of it is preparing for [the temperatures]. I talk to them about hydrating and drinking Gatorade, eating the right stuff. But each team is going through it as well, so I told them afterward, they can’t use [heat] as an excuse.”
