Chuckey Doak and Cherokee squared off in a non-conference softball matchup Wednesday evening in Lower Afton. Both teams finished with six hits, but the Lady Chiefs capitalized on their opportunities, pushing across eight runs to secure an 8-2 win before thunderstorms halted the contest.
Shelby Helton delivered the big blow for Cherokee with a three-run home run in the top of the fourth inning, while also crossing the plate three times. Anne Boyd contributed with two singles and scored twice.
Hayleigh Siedl led the Lady Knights with a perfect 2-for-2 performance at the plate, including a triple, a double, and an RBI. Jayden Myers, Elizabeth Manuel, Madisyn Miller, and Paylin Shelton each added a single.
Boyd earned the win in the circle for Cherokee, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out two and walking one. Manuel took the loss for Chuckey Doak, surrendering eight runs (six earned) with four strikeouts and four walks.
Cherokee struck first in the top of the opening inning with back-to-back singles from Jaylyn Cutshall and Boyd. A walk to Helton loaded the bases, and a sacrifice fly to center brought Cutshall home for a 1-0 lead. After another walk reloaded the bases, Lydia Agusta lined a single to center, driving in Boyd and Helton to extend the lead to 3-0.
Chuckey Doak answered in the bottom half of the inning when Siedl tripled to right and later scored on a Hayden Kenney sacrifice bunt to make it 3-1.
The Lady Chiefs extended their advantage to 5-1 in the second inning, capitalizing on a pair of Chuckey Doak miscues.
The Lady Knights added a run in the third as Myers led off with a single and came around to score on Siedl’s RBI double, trimming the deficit to 5-2.
Cherokee broke the game open in the fourth. After a leadoff walk to Myers and a bunt single by Boyd, Helton worked a full count, fouled off five consecutive pitches, and then launched the 11th pitch of the at-bat over the centerfield fence for a three-run homer, making it 8-2.
Chuckey Doak threatened in the bottom half of the inning, using two well-executed sacrifice bunts and a walk to put pressure on the Lady Chiefs. However, the runner at third was thrown out to end the inning. With lightning in the area and the Wednesday night curfew approaching, the game was called shortly after.
Chuckey Doak, now 4-8 on the season, will travel to Johnson County on Thursday to face the Lady Longhorns, with first pitch scheduled for 5 p.m.
