The North Callaway Ladybirds capitalized on a two-out error to manufacture both of their runs in the top of the sixth inning to clip the South Callaway Lady Bulldogs 2-1 on Tuesday night.
After the game was delayed for a half-hour by lightning in the bottom of the first, South Callaway broke a scoreless tie in the fifth when it used a pair of North Callaway errors and a wild pitch to plate its lone run.
Senior catcher Kaysey Huddleston and junior second baseman Madison Ausfahl started the Ladybirds' sixth with consecutive singles and both runners moved up on a wild pitch with one out. Junior left fielder Karlie Popp then hit a sharp infield grounder that the Lady Bulldogs were unable to cleanly handle, allowing Huddleston and Ausfahl to race home with the tying and decisive runs.
Senior starter Danielle Cassidy tossed a three-hitter and struck out 11 to pick up the complete-game victory for North Callaway (2-0). Cassidy, also 2-0, issued just one walk.
Senior shortstop Elaine Brinker finished 3-for-4 with a double as the Ladybirds collected 10 hits. Junior right fielder Patri Eckert was also 2-for-3.
Sophomore shortstop Nicole Horstman, junior left fielder Kennedy Farley and senior first baseman Kaitlyn Loucks each singled for South Callaway, which was playing its season opener after finishing second in Class 2 last season.
Sophomore Konnor Arrowood - working 5 1/3 innings in relief of freshman starter Britni Pashang - was tagged with the loss for the Lady Bulldogs. Arrowood gave up the two unearned runs, allowed seven hits, struck out seven and walked none.
South Callaway edged North Callaway 3-2 in the junior varsity contest.
The Lady Bulldogs play at Van-Far at 5 p.m. today. The Ladybirds then visit Van-Far for their Eastern Missouri Conference opener at 5 p.m. Thursday.