Offensive woes continue for Lady Yoe in loss to Rockdale

Ever since a convincing 15-0 run-rule win over Hearne on March 10, it has been a struggle for the Lady Yoe to get back in the win column. Since that point, the ladies had dropped three consecutive district contests to Lexington, Franklin, and Rogers, and had only scored a total of 2 runs in those games.

Rockdale

Cameron had potentially their top opportunity to turn things around this past Friday on the road at Rockdale. Both the Lady Yoe and Lady Tigers sat at 1-5 in district and were in search of a much needed win.

After having the game moved to Rockdale due to poor field conditions in Cameron, the Lady Tigers took advantage of home field advantage in a 6-2 win. Cameron was held scoreless throughout the first six frames and only had two hits in the contest.

After each team was turned away in the first two innings, Rockdale broke through with two runs in the third. Nine-hole hitter Payton Miller hit a double to left and was brought in with a double by leadoff hitter Kaitlyn Deary. Emily Depine followed that up with a single for the second run.

In the third, Lady Yoe starting pitcher Maddy Humble retired the first two batters before Rockdale started a two-out rally. Miller got things started again with a single, which was followed by a pair of errors, allowing three runs to cross the plate while extending Rockdale’s lead to 5-0. Another error plated the sixth run in the the fifth.

Rockdale’s lone error came during the final inning, which was responsible for Cameron’s two runs. Madison Brunson and Daniella Hill were hit by pitches and later scored on an errant throw by the first baseman.

Humble and Madison Brunson tossed three innings each in the loss. Humble gave up five hits and two runs in her time on the circle, while Brunson gave up three hits and four runs, all of which were unearned.

Rockdale starting pitcher Cailey Knighton never allowed an inch in her outing. The junior gave up just two hits and struck out nine in the complete game bid. Both runs were unearned. Combined, six unearned runs were scored in the game.

20-3A first half district standings: 1. Lexington (6-1), Rogers (6-1), 1. Academy (6-1), 4. Franklin (4-3), 5. Jarrell (3-4), 6. Rockdale (2-5), 7. Cameron Yoe (1-6), 8. Hearne (0-7).

On Tuesday, the Lady Yoe fell in a tough battle with first place Academy, 16-3. Academy jumped on top 4-0 before the Lady Yoe clawed back to make it 6-3 at the end of three.

“I felt that the girls were being aggressive with putting the ball in play and on the bases,” said Lady Yoe head coach Abe Vargas. “It got a little physical, but I told the ladies that is great to see. That is how you play the game. I told the girls I liked that a lot and that we needed to carry that forward.”

The Lady Bees took control after the third, scoring 10 runs to secure the win in five innings.

“I know the next inning they jumped on us and we got down a little bit, but we didn’t quit,” said Vargas. “It was good to see that. Academy is a good team.”

Kenzie Wimmer, Ashlee Balch and Madison Brunson all drove in lone runs for Cameron.

The Lady Yoe are scheduled to play Hearne on the road on Friday. The Lady Eagles have forfeited a portion of their district games. Cameron will play Jarrell at home on Tuesday, April 4.