Eagles softball get conference win over Cougars

The Eagles celebrate as Kenzie Trisler (15) crosses home plate after her second of back-to-back home runs in the first inning against the Cougars.

ROACHDALE -- Senior Jenna Jones and junior Kenzie Trisler hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning and the South Putnam softball team added seven runs in the sixth inning to push the Eagles past North Putnam on Monday, 16-1.

Sophomore Ashlee Gibson got the win for South Putnam, pitching a complete game one-hitter.

North Putnam sophomore Sabrina Surber looked sharp to start the game, getting two quick outs, but Jones exploded on a 3-2 pitch and drove it over the leftfield wall.

Surber got ahead 0-2 against Trisler, but she tagged the next pitch to nearly the same spot.

The Cougars appeared rattled but battled back in the bottom of the second inning. Surber drew a walk to lead off the inning and her courtesy runner, sophomore Morgan Albers, advanced to third when Kayla Fish reached base on an error.

With runners on first and third and Madi Asbell at the plate, the coaches took a moment to strategize.

Asbell showed a bunt, then pulled back as Gibson went into her motion. Startled, Gibson lost the ball against her leg as she delivered.

After getting in a rundown, the courtesy runner eventually scored but Fish was thrown out attempting to advance to third.

Gibson responded by striking out the remaining two hitters and dominating the rest of the game. She didn't allow a hit until senior Katie Welch singled with one out in the sixth inning.

Freshman Katie Hewitt homered for the Eagles and finished with three hits and three runs scored.

All of the Eagles' starters had at least one hit. Senior Janet Crafton had three doubles and four runs scored. Trisler and junior Brooke Cundiff each doubled and SPHS totaled 16 hits.

The Cougars will look to rebound Wednesday with a scheduled rematch at South Putnam set to begin at 5 p.m.

South Putnam junior Brooke Cundiff catches a pop fly during the third inning against North Putnam on Monday. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

At North Putnam
South Putnam 214 027 -- 16 16 1
North Putnam 010 000 -- 1 1 2