MORAN — Marmaton Valley High’s Wildcat softball team had trouble scoring runs at home Thursday afternoon against Yates Center High’s Wildcats.
Yates Center run-ruled Marmaton Valley twice — 14-3 in five innings and 17-2 in four innings.
“We knew going into the season that our pitchers were inexperienced. We’re a young team and it shows. We did a few good things in Thursday’s games. The potential is there,” said Brenda Mills, Marmaton Valley head coach.
In the opener, Yates Center scored five runs in the second inning and never allowed Marmaton Valley to get in the game. Marmaton Valley scored a run in the third to make it 6-1. Yates Center was up 14-1 when Marmaton Valley plated two more runs in the fifth.
Tapanga Turner pitched two innings for Marmaton Valley and she allowed five runs on six walks and three hit batters. Kailey Boyd came on in relief, working three innings and giving up nine runs on six hits and four walks.
Boyd hit a home run and a single for Marmaton Valley. Kacie Shadden and Shawna Knight each had a base hit.
Marmaton Valley was held to one hit — a single by Boyd — in the second game. Yates Center scored 11 runs in the second inning on its way to the 17-2 win. Tabitha Ford was the losing pitcher for Marmaton Valley, who gave up nine hits, six walks and hit a batter plus struck out five.
There was no report to the Register on individual statistics for Yates Center.
Marmaton Valley (0-4) hosts Frontenac Monday. Yates Center is idle until next Thursday when it hosts Humboldt.
