Lady Raiders complete perfect week on diamond

BONNE TERRE - Senior pitcher Katie Gibson went 3-for-3 at the plate and fired a two-hit shutout in the circle on Friday, as the North County softball team remained unbeaten with a 3-0 victory over Herculaneum.

The Lady Raiders (4-0) achieved all of its scoring with two outs in the fifth inning after two Herculaneum errors prolonged the frame for starter Stephanie Austin, who struck out seven batters in defeat.

Jenna Dennison began the rally with a single to left-center, and scored the first run when Erica Inman blooped an infield single off the diving shortstop’s glove. Gibson then ripped a clutch two-run single to produce the final margin.

Gibson (2-0) retired her first seven batters faced and recorded nine strikeouts while walking only one.

Herculaneum stranded runners at the corners followed a bunt single from Jamie Jerger in the third inning. Kayla Walker stood at third base on a double and throwing error with one out in the fifth, but Gibson fanned the next hitter to keep the Lady Blackcats scoreless.