Tharptown softball falls to Colbert County

By Staff
Tharptown began its softball season Monday, but the game was much shorter than many of the players thought it would be.
The Lady Wildcats struggled at the plate as the pitching and defense had trouble in the field in the 18-0 loss to Colbert County in a game that lasted only three innings.
The Lady Indians scored a pair of runs in the first inning to take the early lead.
Tharptown's Haley Hatton lined out before Chelsey McCluskey and Heather Hatton both grounded out to end the Lady Wildcat's half of the inning.
Colbert County broke the game wide open in the second inning by sending 14 batters to the plate and scoring 11 runs. Each of the Lady Indians scored at least one run in the inning.
Braeden Sellers reached base for Tharptown in the bottom of the second when the Colbert County pitcher threw Sellers' grounder over the head of the first baseman. Sellers reached second on the play.
Chloe Lane followed by grounding out and Tosha George and Lori Metcalf both struck out to end the inning.
The Lady Indians added five more runs in the third.
After Ashley Nicholson and Joshlyn Rea both struck out to start the bottom of the third for Tharptown, Haley Hatton reached base on an infield single and moved to second on a pass ball. McCluskey followed by drawing a walk.
Heather Hatton grounded to the shortstop, who threw to first base to end the game.
Tharptown coach Susie Sellers said she knew it would be tough having Colbert County as the first team on the schedule.
"I scheduled Colbert County first so the girls would see how hard they will have to work," Sellers said.
The Lady Wildcats return to action at 4:30 p.m. Thursday when they host Westminster Christian Academy.