It’s still the first week of the season, but we already know that the Christian County Lady Colonels will be the top seed in the 8th District softball tournament. The Lady Colonels completed a perfect run through the district portion of their schedule, in the first three games of the season, by rolling past Hopkinsvillle Thursday afternoon 16-0.
On a cold blustery afternoon, the bats for the Lady Colonels were a little slow to warm up, but once they did, they really did. Christian County picked up a couple of walks in the top of the first, but was unable to take advantage of them. Hopkinsville went down in order in the bottom of the inning.
In the second, Christian County converted two walks, a hit batter, and a wild pitch into a 1-0 lead. After the wild pitch, Pickle Winkler singled to drive in Kelsey O’Daniel and give the Lady Colonels a 2-0 lead.
Hopkinsville went down in order for the second consecutive inning in the bottom half of the inning.
Then, the Christian County bats heated up, and in a big time way. Specifically, the Shemwells started launching bombs into the cold March breeze. In the top of the third, Reni Shemwell hit two home runs, while Taylor Shemwell and Tyler Shemwell also went deep in the inning, as the Lady Colonels plated 12 runs in the top of the 3rd and seized control of the game, taking a 14-0 lead. Especially impressive for all four of the home runs was how they left the park, drilled into a brisk wind, with no doubts they were gone when they left the bat.
The Lady Tigers would go down in order for the third straight inning in the bottom of the 3rd.
Christian County then closed out the game with two more runs in the top of the 4th, and then setting down Hopkinsville in order again in the bottom of the 4th inning.
Reni Shemwell was 2-3 for Christian County, with 2 home runs and 4 RBIs. Tyler Shemwell had another big day, going 3-3, with a home run, a double, and 5 RBIs. Pickle Winker was 2-3, with two runs scored and 3 RBIs. Taylor Shemwell ended up 1-2 with a home run and 2 RBIs.
Hannah Sumner pitched four perfect innings for the Lady Colonels, striking out four.
Hopkinsville pitchers had a bit of a struggle finding the strike zone, giving up 12 walks over four innings.
Christian County improves to 3-0 overall and 3-0 in district play.
Hopkinsville drops to 0-1 with the loss in their season opener.
