After a strong 5-1 start to the season, the Marmaton Valley softball team ran headlong into undefeated powerhouse Jayhawk-Linn and fell on the road in both games, 12-1 and 13-3.
Both teams were locked in a rather tight fight through the first three innings of game one. Marmaton Valley jumped out to a 1-0 lead and Jayhawk-Linn responded with two runs in the bottom of the second.
After a scoreless third, the Lady Jayhawks unleashed 10 runs in the next two innings to end the game in the fifth on a five-inning run-rule.
Karlie Stephens allowed 12 runs in her 4.2 innings pitched but only five of them were earned. She allowed 11 hits and three walks. She struck out six.
Kayla Ard had two hits in the loss.
In game two, Marmaton Valley scored a run in the top of the first but Jayhawk-Linn countered with a run of their own in the bottom.
Jayhawk-Linn went on to score two runs in the second, three in the third and four in the fourth to push their lead to 10-1 heading into the fifth inning.
Marmaton Valley then attempted a rally but it ended after two runs crossed allowing Jayhawk-Linn to wrap the game up with a three-run bottom of the inning.
Kayla Ard got the start for the Wildcats and allowed 14 runs (10 earned) on 18 hits and three walks with three strikeouts. Jayhawk-Linn hit two home runs.
Patricia Outlan had two hits and Paige Becker had two walks in the loss.
The Wildcats will keep their road stand going next week when they play at Oswego on Monday before traveling to Chetopa on Thursday.
