Paola sweeps Fort Scott softball

PAOLA, Kan. -- Fort Scott High School's softball team was defeated by Paola in both games of a non-league doubleheader Thursday, dropping game one 10-2 and the second game 6-4.

The Tigers (8-6) were held to 4 hits in game one, scoring both their runs in the top of the fifth inning on Mackenzie Jackman's 2-out, 2-RBI double. Hannah Tourtillott, Riley Brown and Kenzie Heatherly each also had a hit.

"We couldn't string together enough hits to keep up with Paola, but we put the ball into play," Fort Scott head coach Alvin Metcalf said. "(Paola) made the play they need to get out of a lot of innings we were threatening to score in."

Paola led 4-0 after two innings, adding 2 in the third and 3 more in the fourth.

The second game was tied 1-1 after 3 innings. Paola took the lead with 2 in the fourth. Fort Scott rallied back with one in the fifth and 2 in the sixth to take a 4-3 lead.

Paola scored 3 times in the bottom of the sixth, and then put Fort Scott out in order in the seventh.

"Just like the first game, (we were) putting runners in scoring position and coming up empty," Metcalf said.

Brown had 4 hits for the Tigers and drove in 2 runs. Heatherly also drove in 2 while Tourtillott and Ericah Shoemaker each collected 2 hits.

"We played really well in both games and both pitchers did a great job of throwing and keeping (Paola) a little off balance," Metcalf said. "In the last two years Paola (had) given up one hit and no runs against us. We have come a long way in one year. When we cut down on errors and make teams play the ball, we can compete with anybody in the state."

The Tigers play at Columbus in a Southeast Kansas League doubleheader Thursday.