YSE File Photo
Madison Warren’s inside-the-park home run helped the Heritage Christian Academy junior to a six-RBI night and led the Warrior softball team to a commanding 18-3 win Monday over visiting Dawson Springs.
Warren, who finished 2-for-2 with two runs scored, cleared the bases in the bottom of the third inning and used a rare inside-the-park grand slam to give HCA an 11-1 lead. Heritage then scored six more runs in the fourth to end the game via mercy rules.
The Panthers issued 17 walks in defeat and lost for the 12th straight game to start the 2024 season. Kalyn Cotton and Graclyn Haynes each went 2-for-3 with an RBI for Dawson Springs, but Monday’s regional matchup was dominated by the offensive output by the Warriors.
In addition to Warren’s eye-popping stat line, Rachel Robson also had a particularly strong night. The HCA senior raised her batting average to .631 by going 3-for-3. She also stole four bases and scored four runs — both team highs in the victory.
Kailyn Johnson (1-for-1, three runs, three RBI, three walks) started the contest scoring with a two-run single in the bottom of the first inning, staking the Warriors to a 2-0 lead. Following singles by Robson and lead-off hitter Gracey Bufford in the second, Johnson’s bases-loaded walk made it 3-0.
Warren put the Panthers in a 6-0 hole with a two-run base hit of her own in the third inning. And after Kylynn Tudor drew a two-out walk, Kennedy Hughes ((2-for-4, run, two RBI) used a fielder’s choice groundout to put HCA ahead 7-0.
Diem Thompson (1-for-1, run, two RBI) was one of six Warriors to draw two or more walks. Other than Warren’s home run, the other nine Heritage hits were singles, which came from six different players.
Hughes (5-3) allowed just one walk and struck out four in her four-inning victory in the circle. She limited Dawson Springs to just five hits and one earned run. Haynes (0-7) pitched all three innings for the Panthers. She struck out three.
Heritage Christian (5-5), which snapped a four-game losing streak with Monday’s rout, will have a rematch Thursday against 8th District foe Fort Campbell. The Falcons defeated the Warriors 9-1 on March 14.
