Lady Longhorns thump Ashford to end day one

MONTGOMERY — Marengo Academy (25-3) moved a step closer to a fourth consecutive state title Friday afternoon when it downed Ashford Academy 11-0 in five innings.

Andrea Edmonds struck out six batters in the contest and limited Ashford to four hits. While Edmonds proved close to dominant in the circle, the defense around her provided plenty of support as the Lady Longhorns turned three double-plays in the game, helping their star hurler to face more than the minimum batters in an inning only once.

Marengo ended a threat in the second when catcher Reesa Holifield hauled in strike three and threw a runner out at third to end the inning.

The Lady Longhorns avoided trouble in the third when Chandler Stenz scooped a ground ball, flipped the Katie Tucker for the out at second and watched as Tucker threw to Conner Etheridge to complete the 4-6-3 twin killing.

The last of the double plays came in the fourth when Holifield again threw out a runner at third following a strikeout.

Holifield and company got in on the act to end the game as the catcher fired to second base to initiate a rundown that ended the contest.

Marengo took the lead in the first when Tucker ripped a RBI double to plate Stenz, who reached on a bunt single to open the frame. Brooke Smyly followed with a RBI single to score Tucker and put MA up 2-0.

The Lady Longhorns sent 11 batters to the plate in a six-run second to blow the game open.

Edmonds ripped a one-out single to right field and gave way to courtesy runner Payton Stokes, who later scored on a RBI bunt single by Taylor Barley.

Alexia Johnson doubled and scored on an Anna Michael Crocker two-RBI double that also plated Barley.

Stenz drew a walk and scored on a sacrifice fly by Tucker. Crocker came in to score on an error. The final run of the frame came on a Smyly RBI single that plated Tucker.

MA added to the advantage in the fourth when Tucker doubled before Holifield doubled to send her fellow senior home.

Caitlin Andrews, who served as the courtesy runner for Holifield, scored on a Smyly RBI single. After a Conner Etheridge single, Edmonds hit a RBI grounder to plate Smyly and cap the scoring.

The Lady Longhorns are scheduled to play again Saturday morning at 10 a.m.