Paige McDaniel
HOPE — The Hauser softball team had all aspects of its game working Tuesday against Trinity Lutheran.
The Jets produced 15 hits at the plate, a solid defensive effort and a pitching performance from Paige McDaniel led them to a 17-4, five-inning victory over the Cougars.
“Everything was really on tonight. Our defense was working. It was a very good day for softball,” McDaniel said.
Severe thunderstorms surrounded the state during the afternoon and evening hours Tuesday, but the game got in before the storms rolled through. It was one of only few events that were played in The Republic area.
One thing that Hauser coach Andy Brunner was pleased to see was the team get plenty of two-out hits to score several runs recently. All nine batters in the lineup recorded at least one hit Tuesday.
“It was a great game all-around,” Brunner said. “We spent a lot of time (Monday) working sides of the plate with our bats, and it showed today. That was fun.”
The Jets (13-4) jumped out to a quick 6-1 lead after two innings. An error by Hauser in the top of the third helped Trinity scored three runs to cut the lead to 6-4. The Jets powered their way to five runs on five hits in the bottom of the third to lead 11-4, then added six runs on six hits in the bottom of the fourth to put the game away.
Izzy Brunner
Izzy Brunner was 3 for 4 with a triple for Hauser. McDaniel was 2 for 2 with a double and a triple, Lucie Asher was 2 for 4 with a triple, Kaitlyn Robinson was 2 for 4 with a double and Maley Jordan finished 2 for 4 and Haylin Campbell had a double.
McDaniel went five innings, allowing four runs and five hits, and struck out four.
“All in all, it was great. They’re playing as one. We’ve been waiting for it and asking for it. It was great,” Andy Brunner said.
Emmy Warren, Olivia Cain, Addi Burcham, Grace Lane and Addi Keaton all produced singles for the Cougars (10-7), who were plagued by seven errors defensively.
Lane went four innings, allowing 15 hits and two strikeouts.
