The Preston Lady Pirates battled hard but ultimately fell short against the Haskell Lady Haymakers, suffering an 18-8 loss on Tuesday in a high-scoring matchup.
The Preston Lady Pirates battled hard but ultimately fell short against the Haskell Lady Haymakers, suffering an 18-8 loss on Tuesday in a high-scoring matchup.
Haskell wasted no time taking control of the game, jumping out to a commanding lead in the first inning. Riley Westmoreland got things started with a solo home run to center field. Hayden Ward followed with an RBI double before Cheyanna Morgan launched a two-run homer to left field. A fielder’s choice off the bat of Madison Humphrey allowed another run to score, putting the Lady Haymakers ahead 5-0.
The offensive onslaught continued in the second inning as Haskell plated eight runs on six hits. Morgan struck again with her second home run of the night, a three-run blast to center. Natalie Deckard added a bases-clearing single that brought in three more runs, and Westmoreland capped off the rally with a two-run single. By the end of the inning, Haskell had built a dominant 13-0 lead.
Despite the deficit, the Lady Pirates showed resilience in the third inning. Taylan Starr led off with a solo home run to center field, followed by a two-run homer from Na’Braijhanae Phillips. Their offensive push cut the lead to 13-6, giving Preston a glimmer of hope.
However, Haskell responded quickly, as Izzy Young belted a two-run homer in the bottom of the third to extend the lead once more.
Westmoreland continued her impressive night in the fourth inning, adding her second home run of the game, a two-run shot to left field. Morgan then followed in the fifth with her third home run of the night, a solo shot that sealed Haskell’s 18-8 victory.
Both teams showed offensive firepower, each tallying 17 hits. Haskell’s Cheyanna Morgan led the charge with an incredible six RBIs on a 3-for-3 performance, while Westmoreland added four hits and multiple home runs.
For Preston, Phillips provided power with a tworun home run, while Starr contributed a solo shot. Olivia Beaver and Ashleigh Hurt each collected three hits, while Josie Cope, Taylan Starr, Kristin Holuby, and Caris Tecumseh also registered multiple hits.
Haskell’s Hayden Ward earned the win, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on 17 hits over five innings. Despite not recording a strikeout, she kept Preston from stringing together enough runs to mount a full comeback.
Preston’s Josie Cope took the loss, giving up 13 runs (seven earned) on 11 hits in 1.2 innings.
The Preston Lady Pirates hit the road again on Thursday, looking to bounce back in their next matchup.
--- Stats
• Na’Braijhanae Phillips: 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI
• Olivia Beaver: 3-for-3
• Ashleigh Hurt: 3-for-3
• Josie Cope: 2-for-3
• Kristin Holuby: 2-for-3
• Caris Tecumseh: 2-for-3
