Columbus North pitcher Meghan Waggoner’s ankle injury forced coach Ron McDonald to adjust the entire defense by putting players in positions they aren’t comfortable with, and it showed in Thursday’s Conference Indiana loss against Southport.
The Cardinals were the Bull Dogs’ only win last season, but Southport managed to get the 14-3 win in six innings in this year’s rematch.
Lilly Hurt moved out of left field to pitch, and McDonald thought she had a solid pitching day. She also went 2 for 3 at the plate.
“Lilly did a great job filling in, so we’re proud of her doing what she’s done,” McDonald said. “She’s hitting the ball really good the last two or three games. Tonight, we really hit it right at them. We hit some shots.”
The Cardinals (5-3, 2-0) had a consistent game, earning three runs in each of the first four innings before scoring their final two runs in the sixth. Southport finished with 14 hits including two home-runs.
The Bull Dogs (0-10, 0-4) showed some life by scoring three runs in the third.
Brooke Bruin, who went 2 for 3, helped North get on the board with an RBI-single. Bailey Lofton hit a two-run double two at-bats later to give the Bull Dogs their second and third runs.
“Brooke Bruin has been in a slump since the start of the season, and she looked sharp tonight,” McDonald said. “She’s been hitting the ball pretty good, but right at somebody, but tonight she hit some really good couple of sharp ones in a row. We think we figured out a couple of things there, and she’ll be really good.”
Brooke Rice’s single and Aden Voss’ double were the other two of North’s seven hits.
Waggoner has been cleared to practice today, and McDonald is hoping she’ll be ready to play on Saturday against Class 4A No. 1 Center Grove and Greenwood in the Center Grove Tournament.
“I think we can get one of those games,” McDonald said. “I think we can beat Greenwood. Now, Center Grove is tough, probably one of the best in the state. After that will be all winnable games.”
