Fort Scott sweeps Grizzlies

ALTAMONT -- Fort Scott High School's softball team posted its first sweep of the season as the Tigers defeated Labette County 7-1 and 5-3 here Friday.

Afton Gray, 2-2, allowed only two hits and one walk while striking out eight as she pitched all seven innings of the first game.

"Afton threw one of her better games," Fort Scott head coach Alvin Metcalf said. "But you always pitch better when your defense plays well behind you. We only committed one error instead of our average of seven a game. I was pleased with our defense because it makes a pitcher more comfortable and confident."

The heart of the Tiger lineup, spots four through seven, combined to go nine for 15 and drive in four runs. Hannah Hawkins was three for four and scored twice. Amanda Metcalf was two for four with a triple, scored two runs and drove in two runs. Crystal Colvin went two for three with a double, scored two and drove home one. Katelyn Simpson was two for four.

The Tigers scored single runs in each of the first two innings. Brittany Fowler scored in the first when she singled, stole second and scored on Hawkins' base hit.

In the second, Colvin singled to center and advanced to third on Simpson's single. She scored on Joce Allen's sacrifice fly.

LCHS, 3-7 in the SEK and 3-10 overall, closed the deficit to 2-1 in the fourth. The Tigers, 2-2, 3-3, added three in the sixth and two in the seventh.

Fort Scott had 13 hits in game one. They only had nine in game two but played an error-free game in the field as the Tigers completed the sweep.

It took four innings for the Tigers' bats to come alive but they scored two in both the fourth and fifth and once in the sixth.

The Grizzlies took the lead with a run in the first and three in the third. Erin Floyd led off the Tigers' fourth with a hit and Fowler beat out the throw for another. Gray bunted the runners over. Hawkins beat out a slow grounder, which allowed Floyd to score. Fowler scored on a throwing error by Labette County's catcher.

The Tigers took the lead in the fifth. C. Colvin started things with a single to left, then stole second. T. Colvin reached base on an infield hit with Crystal moving to third on a throwing error. Joce Allen brought C. Colvin in on a sacrifice fly and Floyd played T. Colvin with a single to left.

Hawkins scored the Tigers' final run in the sixth when she singled up the middle, stole second and came around on Metcalf's single.

Floyd and C. Colvin each had two hits for the Tigers in the second game.

Gray was the winning pitcher in relief. In the last four innings, she allowed two hits and one walk while striking out three.

The game ended with a double play. Amber Foster hit a ball over Simpson's head in left field but she recovered and threw out a runner at home. Metcalf, the catcher, then threw Forster out as she tried to take second on the throw home.

"We have been working very hard in sewing up our problems on defense," Metcalf said. "This team is (playing as) I expected at the beginning of the season. I'm not satisfied with the whole output yet, but you never can be. We have room to improve and I think we took the right steps in getting there."

The Tigers will play three doubleheaders this week. They host Coffeyville in league play this afternoon at 4:30 at Don Hewett Field. The Tigers will take on Paola in non-league action Thursday at 4:30. Friday, they will go to Independence to make-up last Tuesday's rain-out.

Game One

Fort Scott.......... 110 003 2 -- 7 13 1

Labette County.. 000 100 0 -- 1 2 1

WP -- Gray (1-2). LP -- Foster.

HR -- none.

Game Two

Fort Scott.......... 000 221 0 -- 5 9 0

Labette County.. 102 000 0 -- 3 5 3

WP -- Gray (2-2). LP -- Foster.