Blanked by Blackman-WCHS softball falls

Warren County catcher Bethni McGuire fires the ball to first after picking up a bunt attempt during Tuesday’s fourth inning. Blackman’s Victoria Billiot was retired on the play.

Blackman defeated Warren County 6-0 in District 7-AAA action at the WCHS softball field. The Lady Pioneers are now 0-2 in district play and 1-3 on the season.

Kaitom Tanner got the start for Warren County and ran into trouble in the first inning. Breanna Zeis led off with a double to left-center and Buchanan followed with a RBI single. With one out Amanda VanVranken connected for a single up the middle, scoring Buchanan. Warren County recorded the next two outs on ground ball, but the Lady Blaze held a 2-0 lead. Warren County went down in order in the bottom of the first.

In the top of the second the Lady Pioneers defense recorded the first two outs, before Zeis reached on a bunt down the third-base line. But Tanner got the next batter to ground out to third to end the inning.

Kayley Murray led things off in the bottom of the inning with a single. The next two Lady Pioneers went down swinging and Murray was thrown out trying to steal second to end the inning.

With one out in the top of the third the Lady Blaze put together back-to-back hits. A ground ball to second produced the second out and Lady Pioneer catcher Bethni McGuire threw out a runner at second to get out of the inning. Warren County went down in order in the bottom of the inning.

In the top of the fifth the Lady Blaze threatened once again with back-to-back hits. A fly ball to center field by Jordan Abell scored the runner from third putting Blackman out in front 3-0 before Warren County got out of the inning.

Mary Kate Fisher singled in the bottom of the fifth, giving the Lady Pioneers a good start, but the next three batters went down in order leaving the runner stranded.

In the top of the sixth with one out Warren County ran into trouble when Tanner hit a Lady Blaze batter. An error put the next Lady Blaze on base, putting runners at first and second. Buchanan took a 2-1 count and drove the ball over the left-center field fence for a three run blast, putting her team out in front 6-0.

With one out in the bottom of the sixth Brooke Bowman singled, but once again the Warren County left the runner stranded.

Warren County tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh when Murray reached on an error. Fisher followed with her second hit of the game. But a strikeout and then a double play on a pop up to short ended the game as Blackman picked up the district win.

For the Lady Pioneers Fisher had two hits, Bowman and Murray had one hit apiece.

VanVranken was a perfect three-for-three for the Lady Blaze. Zeis and Buchanan added two hits each. Abell and Lauren Dorsett had one hit each.

Natalie Papini got the win for Blackman, giving up four hits, while fanning nine and walking one Lady Pioneer.

Tanner gave up nine hits, walked two and struck out one. Warren County committed two errors on the night.

The Lady Pioneers were scheduled to travel to Lebanon on Thursday for a district rematch.