Jakayla Grubbs pounded five hits and Anna Hodge collected eight total bases, as the eighth-grade duo helped the Hopkinsville High School softball team outslug Warren Central by a count of 21-11 on Friday in Bowling Green.
It was the 10th straight loss for the Lady Dragons, who committed 10 errors and allowed 17 hits. The 33 combined runs between Warren Central and Hoptown are the 20th most in a single game in Kentucky High School Athletic Association history. By prevailing in the slugfest, the Tigers won their third game of 2021.
Hodge, who tripled and doubled twice in the victory, gave HHS its first lead with a sacrifice fly in the top of the first inning. Her RBI three-bagger in the third inning was immediately followed by Morgan Hodge’s RBI double, giving Hopkinsville a 5-2 advantage on the road.
Hopkinsville came into the game on a three-game slide, but put all doubt regarding a potential fourth-straight loss to sleep in the fourth inning, as the Tigers exploded for 10 runs in the frame, punctuated by back-to-back-back, two-out RBI hits from Grubbs, Anna Hodge, and Morgan Hodge. Grubbs was an astounding 5-for-5 with four runs scored and three RBIs in the win.
The top seven batters for Hoptown combined for 18 runs, 14 RBIs all 17 hits. Shaniyah Straight added two hits — both doubles — and finished with three RBIs and two runs scored, while leadoff hitter Kaitlyn Kaetzel was 2-for-5 with three RBIs, two stolen bases and a run. Grubbs essentially ended the game with a two-out RBI in the top of the inning, bringing home Allison Luttrull. And after Warren Central (2-11) couldn’t scratch across a run in the bottom half, HHS claimed the run-shortened contest via mercy rule.
Tigers starting pitcher Kylie Daniels exited after just one-third of an inning, but Hannah Thorson (1-2) came on to strike out 10 batters in four innings, earning her first win of the year in the circle. Thorson did walk seven but allowed just one hit and two runs in long relief. Natalie Naftel (2-8) surrendered 12 hits and 14 runs (eight earned) in 3 1/3 innings to take the loss.
Hoptown (2-8) is back on the diamond at noon on May 8 for a district showdown with crosstown rival Christian County. This is a matchup rescheduled from April 6, following a COVID-related postponement. The state’s No. 15-ranked Colonels (13-4) have won five of their last six games overall.
