Elkette softball falls to Leedey in final scrimmage before regular season

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Published on Monday, 06 August 2012 22:00

Tyler Palmateer
Daily Elk Citian 

In its final tuneup before regular season play begins Tuesday night, the Elk City High School softball faced Leedey Monday night, falling 5-0 in one full scrimmage, and were behind 10-4 at the end of a shortened scrimmage.

Elk City kept the first game close in what seemed like a pitching duel between Leedey's Taya Hayney and the Elkettes' Torei Morning, but the Lady Bison instituted some timely bunts to plate the runs necessary to win. Overall, ECHS head coach was pleased with her team's mindset Monday, as opposed to a scrimmage against Leedey last week. 

"You could see a completely different ball game [today]," Mudgett said. "I told them it's not about talent, it's about how bad you want it. It was a good opener for the fans to see, but [Leedey] is a really good ball team and we put ourselves in positions to beat them." 

Mudgett noted the number of base runners for ECHS and the fact that the defense was able to get out of multiple jams. Morning and Tori Schones were left stranded in the bottom of the first, and Mallory Luttrell was left on second base in the bottom of the second. 

Leedey used speed to its advantage when Jessie Harrell got bunted her way to first base, then was advanced to third base on another sacrifice bunt, before coming around to score off Harrell when Sydnie Harrell's ground ball was bobbled in the infield. 

A bunt by Leedey's Jenna Trissel scored Sydnie Harrell, which set up Taya Hayney for a stand-up double that sailed into centerfield. Trissel would score, giving Leedey a 3-0 advantage. 

Mudgett said ECHS has worked on small ball situations and even though a few players were out of place, the problems are fixable. 

"We've had some infield changes. Good teams are able to play hard-hitting and small ball so that's one thing we do need to continue to work on." 

Morning recorded three strikeouts for Elk City in the game. The Elkettes begin their regular season Tuesday at 4:30 against Hobart at the ECHS softball field. 

Game 1 

Leedey 5, Elk City 0

Leedey 0 0 2 3 0 0 0
Elk City 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Game 2 (3-inning scrimmage)

Leedey 10, Elk City 4

Leedey 1 0 9
Elk City 1 0 3