SOFTBALL: Cass tops Southwood, moves to 5-0 in TRC play

WALTON — Southwood put up a good challenge but the Lewis Cass softball team picked up another TRC win with a 4-0 victory Wednesday night.

The Kings (7-8, 5-0 TRC) took another step forward in their bid to win a conference championship with their win over the Knights (7-5, 2-2).

Senior ace Amma Fitzhugh twirled a four-hit shutout, striking out seven in the victory.

“My screwball and my riseball were working really well,” Fitzhugh said.

The Oakland City University-bound right-hander has kept the faith throughout the season.

“Honestly, I was just praying before each inning and especially before this last inning,” she said. “We really pulled together as a team and really did well.”

It was a 0-0 game when the Kings got a break in the bottom of the fifth. With two outs, Ava Hubner hit a major-league popup in the direction of the pitcher’s circle. None of the Knights really took command and it dropped in for what was ruled an error by the first baseman. The go-ahead run scored on the play.

“We don’t have to talk about that,” Hubner said. “I mean, I’m happy they dropped it.”

Hubner might be the Kings’ best all-around softball player — she’s been their catcher as of late — and she was happy to come away with the win.

“We all just wanted to come out and win this game because we’ve beat them the past three years, I think,” she said. “And we’re obviously undefeated in the conference and they’re pretty good in our conference too, so we wanted to beat them.”

Alisha Toops followed Hubner’s fortunate popup with a two-run single to right to give the Kings a 3-0 lead.

The Kings added another run in the sixth. Ally Berry and Kami Silcox had back-to-back singles to lead off the inning. Kylie Logan followed with an RBI single to center to make it 4-0 for the only earned run of the game.

“I’m just really proud of this team because even though our record’s not that good, when it comes to conference, we know to take it more serious and just ease into the game,” Logan said.

The Kings were finally able to get some offense going late against Southwood senior Natalie Sutphin, who 44-18 with a 2.35 ERA for her career and is 5-5 with a 1.97 ERA this season.

“In past years she was really good and I was like so scared to go up to bat,” Logan said. “But this year, I think since she had a shoulder injury last year, she just wasn’t as good this year. But I was still scared because she has a lot of movement.”

Logan went 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored. Hannah Penn went 2-for-4 with a run scored. Berry, Silcox, Toops, Maddie Lynch and Shae Dishner each added a hit.

The Kings have won three games in a row and six of seven after an 0-6 start.

“We’re getting things pulled together the last couple weeks,” Cass coach Rusty Logan said. “Once conference hit — and we knew this when we started the season — we knew there was gonna be some moving around of girls the first part before we get into the conference schedule, trying to find that lineup that we really liked. And we nailed it game one. And we’re happy with it now. And the positive is now is everybody’s got experience, so if we have to go to the bench we’re not all that concerned. So we’re happy. Practices have been a lot more productive. Everybody’s really enthusiastic. The enthusiasm has returned.”