North Putnam blasts Chargers

ROACHDALE -- Freshman Sabrina Surber pitched a six-hitter and blasted a two-run home run to lead North Putnam to a 9-1 victory over North Montgomery in a nonconference softball game Tuesday on the Cougars' field.

Surber didn't allow an earned run. She struck out six and walked three in seven-inning effort.

"She (Surber) was pretty good," North Putnam coach Benny Ault said. "For a freshman, it was a nice outing."

Surber's home run capped off a four-run fourth inning that put the Cougars (3-5) ahead, 6-0.

"Wow, she got a hold of that one," Ault said. "It was way beyond the barrier. We saw that one coming. We knew she was due anytime."

The Cougars had eight hits and produced runs with aggressive base running.

Madi Asbell singled with two outs in the first inning. On a wild pitch, Asbell rounded second at full speed and headed for third. North Montgomery catcher Brittany Townsend's throw sailed into left field and Asbell scored to stake Surber to a 1-0 lead.

"Madi is a very aggressive runner," Ault said.

North Putnam added one run in the second. Kensy Asbell led off with a walk, stole second and went to third on a passed ball. Lauren Campbell drove her in with an infield ground out.

Bridget Johnston singled with one out in the fourth and stole second. She stopped at third on Alyssa Roberts' single to left. Campbell drove in Johnston on a ground ball and a throwing error on the play scored Roberts.

Katie Rooker kept the inning alive with a walk and Surber's blast to left put North Putnam on top, 6-1.

The Cougars added two runs in the fifth. Kayla Fish led off with a walk and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kensy Asbell. Johnston reached on an error. Roberts ripped a double to center field to score Fish. Johnston scored on passed ball.

"Alyssa Roberts exploded on that ball," Ault said. "We've been waiting for her bat to come alive."

The Cougars also played some outstanding defense behind Surber.

Mackenzie Carpenter led off the third inning with a double to right field for North Montgomery's first hit. Zoey McCormick followed with a fly ball to medium center field that was caught by Campbell. Carpenter tagged and headed for third and Campbell's strong and accurate throw arrived to third baseman Rooker in plenty of time to tag out Carpenter.

"That was a great play by Lauren Campbell," Ault said. "I was impressed by our outfield play overall."

The double play cut off what could have been a big inning for North Montgomery (2-9). The next two Chargers singled, but Surber got the final out on a pop fly to second baseman Fish.

At North Putnam

N. Montgomery 000 010 0 -- 1 6 3

North Putnam 110 421 x -- 9 8 1

WP: Sabrina Surber (7 IP, 6 hits, 1 run, 0 earned run, 6 strikeouts, 3 walks); LP: Mackenzie Carpenter (4 1/3 IP, 5 hits, 8 runs, 6 earned runs, 3 strikeouts, 1 hit batter).

HR: NP--Surber, one on in fourth.

2B: NM--Mac. Carpenter, CJ Trippett; NP--Roberts.

1B: NM--McIntyre 2, French 1, Trippett 1; NP--M. Asbell 1, Fish 1, Johnston 1, Roberts 1.

RBI: NM-Trippett 1; NP--Surber 2, Campbell 2, Fish 1,Roberts 1.