LINDEN — Emily Simpson reached to her right and snagged the pitch on the outside corner of the plate. Then she jumped up and joined her Southmont teammates on the first base line.
The freshman catcher had just squeezed the final out of a no-hitter. It was the second ace of sophomore pitcher Ella Barry’s career in a Mountie 14-1 win over North Montgomery on Wednesday at Charger field.
“(Barry) was pretty dominant all night,” South coach Dan Taylor said. “We had to adjust on offense to a different type pitcher. A credit to her as she made our girls really work at it.”
Barry topped the night before’s one hitter against North and struck out 13 along the way. Meanwhile, her fellow Mounties scattered 10 hits and put the game away with an eight run third inning. The win was the 32nd straight over North dating back to 2010.
“You can kind of see our girls trying not to swing at bad pitches and be patient,” Taylor said. “Their pitcher took away our strength, which is quick bats. We had to adjust.”
The news was not all bad for the Chargers. Freshman Mary Kate Patterson made her first varsity appearance on the mound and the defense kept the ball in front. The only error was a dropped third strike.
“I told the girls I thought they played better than last night,” North coach Rob Earley said. “Outfield we are very strong. We have more than just three that can play out there. I’m confident we’ll just keep getting better.”
Simpson had a two-run, bases loaded double in the second inning. Senior Kenzie Douglas smashed a bases clearing double in the third for the big offensive blows. Sophomore Kaylee Turner had three hits and a run batted in from the leadoff spot. Sammie Crosby and Simpson each were on base three times. Crosby and Neveah Ward, who courtesy ran for Simpson, each scored three runs.
North got on the board in the fourth without a hit. Sophie Welshimer walked for the second time, stole second, took third on a pass ball and scored on an error when Simpson could not handle a throw after a ground ball hit by Blake Braun.
Barry threw 78 pitches and walked three in the 14th complete game of her career. Patterson tossed 110 pitches, struck out two and walked six in her debut.
“It was a different feeling,” Earley said. “I thought she did really well. There was an inning where the gloves kind of escaped us. I told her don’t worry about what just happened. Throw to the glove and get the next batter.”
Taylor’s squad opens 2-0 for the first time in his nine-season tenure and also is 2-0 in the Monon Athletic Conference. They host their own invitational Saturday, playing Seeger in the opener. The winner plays either South Putnam or Danville.
“Feels good with a young team. We’re going to find out how good we really are Saturday and against Cascade next week.”
Earley’s North team (0-3, 0-2 MAC) hosts Clinton Prairie on Friday.
“First game was a little shaky in the field, but our gloves are better. I have a lot of confidence.”
