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Emerson Thompson (15) launches the first of her two home runs in the first inning of the Lady Wildcats' game against North Lamar Tuesday. Thompson batted 2/3, recorded five RBIs, and scored two runs in the Lady Wildcats' 13-0 victory, launching two home runs, including a grand slam in the third inning. Photo by DJ Spencer
Emerson Thompson hits two home runs
MOUNT VERNON — The Sulphur Springs Lady Wildcats racked up their ninth straight victory Tuesday by shutting out the North Lamar Pantherettes 13-0 at Donnie Surratt Field on the campus of Mount Vernon High School. Over the course of the game, the Lady Wildcats dominated on both sides of the ball and never let up, leading to another dominant win.
The game would be played in Mount Vernon due to wet field conditions at Sulphur Springs’ Ladycat Park.
The Pantherettes stepped up to the plate first, where they faced Hannah Speed in the circle. Speed would start the game with three consecutive strikeouts, ending the Pantherettes’ turn.
The Lady Wildcats came to the plate next. They would get on the board right away when Emerson Thompson hit a solo home run, giving them a 1-0 lead.
Following a single by Nicole Higgins, Speed would swat a two-run home run, where Higgins also scored, to extend the Lady Wildcats’ lead to 3-0. Consecutive outs followed when Bayler Boatman struck out and Ragan hit a fly ball for an out.
After another runner was gained when Claire Thompson hit a single, the first inning came to an end when Abbey Goldsmith struck out.
The Pantherettes went down in order once again to start the second inning, as Speed once again recorded three consecutive strikeouts. The Lady Wildcats were likewise retired in order during the bottom of the second inning, as KK Montgomery struck out, and both Anahi Velasquez and Emerson Thompson hit fly balls for outs, ending the inning.
The third inning began with a strikeout. After that, the Pantherettes gained a runner on an error. This was followed by another strikeout.
Following a single, another strikeouts ended the Pantherettes’ turn.
The bottom of the third inning began with the Lady Wildcats loading up the bases after Higgins hit a double, Speed was hit by a pitch, and Boatman hit a single. A 2-RBI single by Ragan would then bring Higgins and Tatum Thompson, who was pinch running for Speed, home and bringing the score to 5-0.
On the next at-bat, Claire Thompson hit a fly ball for an out, but Boatman scored after tagging up, extending the Lady Wildcats’ lead to 6-0. This would be followed by Goldsmith hitting a double.
Montgomery would then hit an RBI single, bringing Ragan home and raising the score to 7-0. The bases then loaded up after Velasquez was walked.
On the following at-bat, Emerson Thompson hit a grand slam, bringing Goldsmith, Montgomery, and Braille Blevins, who was pinch running for Velasquez, home and increasing the Lady Wildcats’ leas to 11-0. This was followed by Higgins grounding out.
Though two more runners were gained when Speed walked and Boatman was hit by a pitch, the inning ended after Ragan struck out.
The fourth inning began with a pair of strikeouts. After a walk, another strikeout brought the Pantherettes’ turn to a close.
The bottom of the fourth inning started with Claire Thompson grounding out and Goldsmith hitting a fly ball for an out. This was followed by Montgomery hitting a solo home run, raising the score to 12-0.
Two runners were then gained when Allison Frazier and Niya Yancy both hit singles. On the next at-bat, Higgins hit an RBI double, bringing Frazier home and bringing the score to 130. Their turn ended when Speed grounded out.
The Pantherettes were retired in order to start the fifth inning following a pair of strikeouts and a ground out, ending the game and allowing the Lady Wildcats to close out a 13-0 shutout win.
As a team, the Lady Wildcats batted 14 for 25 (.560) from the plate. Higgins would lead the way with three hits. Montgomery and Emerson Thompson added two hits each, while Boatman, Frazier, Goldsmith, Ragan, Speeed, Claire Thompson, and Yancy all added one hit each.
Higgins, Montgomery, and Emerson Thompson all shared the title of leading scorer with two runs a piece. Blevins, Boatman, Frazier, Goldsmith, Ragan, Speed, and Tatum Thompson all scored one run each.
Speed pitched a shutout in the circle. Across five innings, she struck out 14 batters, allowing only one hit and one walk.
With the win, the Lady Wildcats improved to 8-0 in district and 16-7-2 on the season. They resumed action Friday, traveling to Texarkana to face off against the Pleasant Grove Lady Hawks.