Central softball snaps seven-year drought against Farmington

By MATT KING
Daily Journal Sports Writer

FARMINGTON — Farmington had dominated conference rival Central on the softball diamond over the past seven years, claiming victory in 17 straight meetings. That streak reached an emphatic conclusion on Tuesday afternoon.

Junior Melanee Cunningham delivered a superb pitching performance with a four-hit shutout on short notice, and the Lady Rebels supported her with timely hitting throughout a 6-0 road victory.

Freshman infielder Taylor Friend finished 2-for-3 with three RBI, including a two-run double in the fifth inning that broke open the contest for Central (5-7), which produced all of its scoring with two outs.

Cunningham escaped two dangerous threats during the middle innings, and recorded seven strikeouts while walking three. Addie Scoggin singled and reached base four times while Amber Kennedy scored twice for the visitors.

Back-to-back walks proved costly for Farmington starter Erin Littrell in the opening frame, as Friend put Central ahead with a RBI single to left-center.

Farmington (4-8) loaded the bases with one out in both the third and fourth innings, and stranded 10 base runners overall. Cunningham followed a sharp single from Beth Meyer with consecutive strikeouts to end the third.

Littrell, who notched four strikeouts over six innings of work in defeat, retired seven straight batters before Scoggin began the fourth with a single. Catcher Sarah Tripp made it 2-0 moments later with a RBI hit.

Central added to its lead with three unearned runs in the fifth. Maggie Cunningham singled and scored from second base on a dropped throw that could have ended the inning. A second error prolonged the rally for Friend, who ripped a two-run drive down the left-field line for a 5-0 margin.

Kylie Horton scored the final tally of the game on a bases-loaded walk after opening the seventh with a single.

Natalie Hoehn finished 1-for-2 plus a walk, and Allie Trask added a single for the Knightettes.