Summer Williams
One word would describe the Columbus North softball team Thursday night — flat.
The Bull Dogs committed several errors and didn’t get anything going at the plate in a 9-1 loss to Indianapolis Living Water HomeSchool. Living Water was a late replacement for Perry Meridian, which had to make up a conference game on Thursday.
It’s been a rollercoaster ride for North all season, being hit with the injury bug and having girls playing in different positions at the moment. Once everyone returns, the Bull Dogs will look to be on the upswing.
“We’re having to move girls in different positions, and we’re trying in practice to get them reps everywhere,” North coach TJ Jarvis said.
The Bull Dogs (5-5) scored their only run of the game in the bottom of the first inning when Miley McClellan slapped a ball to the outfield that was misplayed by an outfielder that allowed her to reach third. Bailee Scruggs then converted on a single for their one and only lead of the game at 1-0.
The Marlins (8-3) then scored two additional runs in the top of the second to take the lead for good.
North finished with four errors defensively and had four hits at the plate. Summer Williams accounted for half of the team’s hits by going 2 for 3 with a double. McClellan and Scruggs each contributed a hit.
In the circle, Scruggs took the loss, going 3 1/3 innings and allowing five runs on five hits and five strikeouts for North. Kelsey Lovelace came on in relief to finish out the game. She allowed four runs, all unearned, on three hits with two strikeouts.
Maddie Dafforn got the win for the Marlins, going seven innings and allowing one run on four hits with nine strikeouts.
“(Lovelace) is the general. She controls the defense. As soon as we move her to the (circle), the defense falls apart,” Jarvis said. “We haven’t made very good adjustments in the box as a team. (Dafforn) is a good pitcher, but we had her look really good tonight. But we‘ve struggled hitting for three games now, too. We’re just not making adjustment in the batter’s box.”
The Bull Dogs will look for better results in the Franklin Central Invitational on Saturday.
