Scott City softball rolls past Chaffee in season opener

Chaffee catcher Adrienne Eichhorn tags out Scott City's Macy Hall trying to score on Thursday afternoon in Chaffee.
(Photo by Chris Pobst, Staff)

CHAFFEE -- Scott City sophomore Alexis Spriggs knew a lot about Chaffee's softball team. As the starter for her Lady Rams on Thursday afternoon, Spriggs didn't hesitate to use that knowledge.

"I played with and against them in rec ball in the summer so, it's kind of like the same thing," she said. "It kind of works to my advantage because I kind of know what they can do."

Facing some of her friends on the opposite side also brought on some mixed feelings for her as well.

"When they come up to bat it's kind of like one of those things where, do you want to strike them out?" laughed Spriggs. "In the end, I went with my team."

With the help of an outburst of offense from the Lady Rams, her team ran away with a 15-3 win over the Lady Devils at Chaffee in a shortened, five inning game.

Scott City quickly jumped out to a 5-0 lead after two innings.

Senior Stacey Heisserer led things off with a single to left in the top of the first which was followed by a run-scoring triple by Melanie Lacey, who would finish the day with three hits and three RBI. Spriggs helped herself out with a single that scored Lacey in the very next at-bat.

"I was very proud of how we came out," Scott City head coach Amy Pobst said. "We came out with energy. We were a little let down because we didn't get to play yesterday. But, they brought that energy with them here.

"We've talked about keeping that up throughout the entire game and I think they did a great job of that."

The Lady Rams continued with three runs in the second, followed by a convincing nine run, eight hit fourth inning which made it 14-0 and gave Scott City plenty of comfort.

"That helps a lot," said Spriggs said about the run support "Even if they score one or two runs, I know I have my offense to come and and get those two runs back. I believe in my teammates and I know they can do that for me."

Spriggs didn't allow a run until the bottom of the fourth when McKenzie Chapman had a pinch-hit, RBI single that scored Maria Smith from third. The Lady Devils scored twice more in the bottom of the fifth from back-to-back doubles by Smith and Kaitlyn Miller.

Although Chaffee head coach Shawn Powderly said never quitting has been a good thing he's seen so far and that no matter what the score is they were going to keep swinging, he admitted that Scott City was the better team Thursday.

"They were better than us at every single facet of the game," Powderly said. "Their pitcher hit her spots better, they obviously swung the bats well and their defense played a heck of a lot better. They made some good defensive plays and we didn't do that today.

"They were definitely the better team today. No question."

Scott City (1-0) had five players -- Heisserer, Lacey, Spriggs, Lindsay Kern and Macy Hall -- with at least two hits on the day. Along with Lacey, Spriggs ended her day with three hits and a win as pitcher. She gave up three runs on seven hits and five walks while striking out three.

"Overall, she threw a great game," Pobst said. "We talked about making sure she was ready to come out and throw and she did that. That's about what we're expecting to see from her."

Chaffee (1-2) had one player with two hits. Adrienne Eichhorn connected for a single in the first and a single in the third. Smith and Hannah Bedwell and Maria Smith each added a double as well.

The Lady Devils will travel to Sikeston on Tuesday while Scott City hosts St. Vincent on Wednesday.

Scott City 230 91 -- 15

Chaffee 000 12 -- 3

WP -- Alexis Spriggs. LP -- Hailey Enderle. Mulitple hitters -- (S) Stacey Heisserer 2-4, Melanie Lacey 3-4, Spriggs 3-4, Lindsay Kern 2-4, Macy Hall 2-4; (C) Adrienne Eichhorn 2-3. 2B -- (S) Spriggs, Hall; (C) Hannah Bedwell, Maria Smith. 3B -- (S) Lacey.