Lady 'Cats gain SHAC win in home opener

In the home opener for the season, the Whiteoak Lady Wildcats began the game with a big inning and later added two runs that proved to be a big difference maker as they gained a Southern Hills Athletic Conference win against the West Union Lady Dragons, Tuesday night.

The 6-5 win by the Lady ’Cats consisted of a four-run first inning and two runs in the fourth, as WHS held off a West Union squad that scattered their five runs in parts of four different innings, including a two-run fifth that made it a one-run differential.

WHS totaled nine hits in the SHAC victory, with the first five batters in the order combining for eight of the nine hits. Leading the way was Ashleigh Harless at 3-for-3 with one run, one walk and one RBI.

Courtney Gross followed at 2-for-4 with one run, while lead-off hitter Jaycie Parr went 1-for-3 with two runs and one walk. Also for WHS, Lexi Jones had one hit and Hayley Nace gained one hit, one run and one RBI. She was also hit by a pitch.

Chelsea Chisman had a hit for the Lady ‘Cats as well, while also collecting an RBI. Megan Dodds led WHS with two RBIs in the victory and scored one run.

Pitching for WHS were Gross and Parr, as Parr was the winning pitcher. The two pitchers combined to allow just four hits and three earned runs. Gross went 2.1 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits and no walks. She struck out one batter. Parr pitched the final 4.2 innings, with two runs allowed (one earned) on one hit and two walks. She finished with three strikeouts.