NEW ALBANY – Bedford North Lawrence opened Hoosier Hills Conference play with an overwhelming 14-1, five-inning victory over New Albany during high school softball action on Thursday night.
Ava Ratliff and Macee Nicholson powered the offensive assault, while Nicholson scattered five hits as the Stars improved to 9-4 with a mercy-rule road triumph.
Ratliff slugged her seventh home run of the season while totaling three hits and four RBIs, and Nicholson had three hits and drove in three runs to highlight a 16-hit attack. Adalynn Bailey came off the bench to add a two-run homer.
”It was a great team win,” BNL coach Brad Gilbert said. “We hit great, starting with the first inning and then added on. Ava and Macee hit the ball hard.”
The Stars started with four runs in the first. Ratliff ripped a homer to center, Nicholson followed with a RBI double, and Karsyn Coleman added a run-scoring single. BNL erupted for five runs in the second as Ratliff cracked a two-run double, Nicholson stroked a run-scoring single, and Dalanie Davis delivered a two-run single.
BNL added a run in the third on Kendall Graves’ sacrifice fly, then finished its barrage with four in the fifth as Ratliff smacked a RBI double, Nicholson drilled a RBI single, and Bailey belted her home run to left.
Nicholson struck out three and gave up an unearned run in the second while earning the win in the circle. Chloe Swinney had two hits for the Bulldogs. Tori Nikirk and Sara Williams had two hits each for the Stars.
”Macee pitched a great game,” Gilbert said. “She kept them off balance all night. We ran the bases well and had several at-bats that we moved runners into scoring position. It was a great start toward the HHC.”
BNL will visit Linton on Friday.
