Cougar softball defeats Greencastle

North Putnam short stop Chelsie Greene (right) blocks the steal attempt of Greencastle's Samantha Sillery in the top of the fifth Thursday at North Putnam. The Cougars defeated the Tiger Cubs, 6-1.

Thursday's game between Greencastle and North Putnam's girls' softball squads was anything but typical, as Greencastle started the game with one out and two runners on. North won the game 6-1 and ended a four-game run.

The game was a continuation of a rain-called game from last week, and Cougars used that advantage to pounce on the Tiger Cubs.

North scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning, with Carlye McGaughey and Brook Miller scoring. North added another four runs in the second to stretch the lead to seven. Miller reached on an infield grounder.

"We got six on them, then I thought we kind of lost our focus at the plate," North coach George Pearson said.

Greencastle, was playing with a depleted roster, but played even ball with the Cougars for the rest of the game.

The Tiger Cubs never could quite hit their stride, as they were unable to score until late in the game.

Cassie Alspaugh connected on a long triple in the sixth inning and was brought home by Kayla Nobles' hit to second base. The Tigers ended up loading the bases with after a Brooke Sage drew a walk and Tabitha Wilson reached on an error. But Greencastle was unable to capitalize on the opportunity and left all three stranded as the inning ended.

Miller added a big shot of her own, as she drove a ball to deep center field for a double in the bottom of the sixth.

Greencastle came out in the top of the seventh hoping to make a run on the Cougars, but North Putnam downed three of Greencastle's four batters to end the game.

On the night, Miller threw for six strikeouts, three walks and one hit, while Alspaugh went for three strikeouts, one walk and five hits.

"We hit the ball off her well, as far as making contact," GHS coach Dave Keller said.

At the plate, the starting pitchers also provided the power for their teams. Miller connected on a North Putnam double and Alspaugh smacked a triple for Greencastle.

Having played four games in a row, North seemed a little on the fatigued side as Pearson was quick to point out.

"Having played four games in a row, they're just probably running out of gas," Pearson said.

Miller seemed to struggle slightly with pitch location and acknowledged the string of games was starting to take a toll.

"I was kind of tired -- playing four games in a row," Miller commented after the contest.

North was without their starting catcher, Dakota Malayer, who injured her finger earlier in the week, but will look to have her back in the lineup come Saturday.

"She (Malayer) caught a ball off her finger Monday night," Pearson said. "She'll be alright by Saturday, but she was still a little sore tonight."

Pearson also noted that backup catcher McGaughey was injured, so they had to go to Logan Doyle.

"She (Doyle) hadn't caught since last year and did a good job," Pearson praised.

With the regular season coming to a close soon, Pearson will look to give Miller some rest in the next week and have her strong as tournament play starts.

North Putnam will travel to Turkey Run for a double header Saturday at 10 a.m. and Greencastle will host Edgewood Saturday at 10 a.m.

At North Putnam

Greencastle 000 001 0 -- 1 5 2

North Putnam 240 000 x -- 6 8 1

Alspaugh and Wilson (GHS), Miller and Doyle (NP)

WP -- Miller

LP -- Alspaugh

2B -- Miller (NP).

3B -- Alspaugh (GHS)

Next game -- North Putnam will travel to Turkey Run for a double header Saturday at 10 a.m. and Greencastle will host Edgewood Saturday at 10 a.m.

COUNTY SOFTBALL ROUNDUP