Yough softball records fourth consecutive shutout, beats EF

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, May 1, 2018 | 8:54 PM

The showdown between first-place Yough and second-place Elizabeth Forward proved how looks can be deceiving, at least on paper.

The host Cougars earned their fourth straight shutout with a 10-0 victory in five innings to move to 6-0 in Section 2-4A.

“I truly believe that, other than us, (Elizabeth Forward) is the next-best team in the section,” said Yough coach Dutch Harvey. “Our pitchers have been hitting their spots. We aren't overpowering anybody. We are just trying to hit our spots and let our defense make the plays to win the game.”

The afternoon was special for Yough starting pitcher Kierra Waywood on the team's third annual Strikeouts for Cancer game. Waywood's cousin was diagnosed with cancer and was in attendance to watch her pitch.

“Being that my cousin has been diagnosed with cancer, this was a big day for me,” said Waywood. “He walked in, and I gave him a big hug and it made my day. He is what pushed me through today's start.”

Waywood went the distance, allowing three hits and striking out five.

Waywood retired the last seven she faced. She didn't allow more than one baserunner to reach in any inning and didn't allow a ball out of the infield.

“She hit her spots again. She's been on fire,” Harvey said. “We're doing all we need to do to support her, and that's what really helps.”

Neither team was able to generate any offense early, with Waywood and Warriors starter Kailey Larcinese allowing two hits through the first two innings.

Waywood opened the scoring in the bottom of the third, lining a two-run double to right-center to give the Cougars a 2-0 lead.

“I was just looking to put the ball in play and get something started,” said Waywood. “I feel like it helped us a lot and gave us a lot of confidence.”

Yough (7-1, 6-0) scored seven runs in the bottom of the fourth, capped by three consecutive run-scoring doubles.

An RBI single by Aubrie Mance put the 10-run rule into effect and ended the game.

“There is no defense for (the doubles),” Harvey said. “We were able to make an adjustment really quick in the batter's box, and everyone got out in front.”

Elizabeth Forward (7-3, 6-3) saw some success early from Larcinese, but mistakes in location led to her lasting just three innings, giving up four runs, two earned, on four hits while walking three and striking out three.

Harvey wants his Cougars to stay the course and keep picking up as many wins as they can in the season's final couple of weeks.

“Our section is tough, so if we can go through the section without losing a game, that will really set us up nicely for the playoffs,” he said. “We've had some exhibition games that were tough, and if we keep playing the way we are playing, we will be all right.”

Zack Zeigler is a freelance writer.

Tags: Elizabeth Forward, Yough