YSE File Photo
Statistically speaking, Calloway County High School freshman Jaylee McLeod continued to show why she’s one of the state’s top softball pitchers Monday, as the visiting Lakers defeated Hopkinsville by a count of 18-0 at Lady Tiger Field.
McLeod, who ranks in the top 30 in Kentucky for season ERA, struck out eight and threw a three-inning, one-hit shutout to lead Calloway to the dominant victory. Hoptown’s lone base runner of the contest came when Danaja Wheeler delivered a two-out single in the bottom of the third inning, but she was stranded at first base to end the game.
The Lakers (5-8) batted around during the first inning and scored 11 times to take instant command. Kallie Franklin went 2-for-2 with two runs and two RBIs — all during the opening frame — to pace the CCHS offense. Her two-run single put Calloway County ahead 8-0. Franklin, Ashlynn Bazzel and Laynee Houk, all of whom are freshmen, each doubled and combined for five RBI.
Eleven different CCHS players scored at least one run in the road win.
After McLeod (2-0) struck out the side in the bottom of the first, Calloway drew four walks in the second inning and scored five more runs. Olivia Luttrull (0-7) pitched all three innings for the Tigers and allowed just four hits, but issued nine walks and surrendered 13 earned runs. She also struck out four.
Hopkinsville (0-8) will continue to search for its first win of 2024 when it hosts McLean County (3-9) at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday. The Cougars are 9-5 overall against HHS dating back to 2011. Hoptown’s last win over McLean came in 2018.
