Lancer softball team downs Paulding

Lincolnview softball news

PAULDING — The Lincolnview Lancer varsity softball team hosted the Paulding Panthers Thursday evening at Paulding. Due to wet field conditions at home, the Lancers had to travel, and came away with a 6-2 victory.

Starting pitcher Ashley McClure set down the Panthers in order in the first inning and the

Lancer offense wasted little time denting the scoring column. Lincolnview’s leadoff hitter, Jodie Doner, ripped a triple to the fence and promptly scored on a sacrifice by Autumn Proctor. McClure stranded two runners in the second and the Lancer struck again for a run as Julia Thatcher launched a solo shot over the left-center field fence. After two innings the Lancer led 2-0.

Paulding tallied an unearned run in the fourth inning as Schmidt reached on an error.

Jessica Bland drove in the run with a solid single to left center. McClure then settled in and retired the side.

The bottom of the fifth inning was a decisive inning for the Lancer hitting attack as Thatcher single to center.  Doner beat out an infield hit to deep short to put Lancers at first and second.

Kaitlyn Brant hit a slow roller to third to load the bases with no one out.  After a pop out, Baylee Neate ripped a solid two RBI single to center to score Thatcher and Doner.  With two runners still on, Kelsey Mohr collect two RBI with a single down the left field line.  All told the Lancers tallied four big runs to take a 6-1 lead into the sixth.

Paulding tallied another run in the top of the sixth as Beck lead off with a double.  A Lancer throwing error allowed the run to score and McClure again limited the damage as she finished off the sixth and seventh innings.

McClure went all seven innings to garner the victory on two unearned runs, seven hits, one walk, and six strikeouts.

Thatcher collected two hits of the Lancers’ eight-hit attack. Brant had a double in the game.

With the victory the Lancers improve to 8-1 in all contests and 3-1 in Northwest Conference play. Paulding drops to 2-6 on the season.