RUSSELLVILLE - Sophomore catcher Shelby Ruppel had three hits and drove in four runs as the New Bloomfield Lady Wildcats softball team started Show-Me Conference play Thursday night by rolling past Russellville 15-0 in five innings.
Ruppel went 3-for-4 with two doubles to power New Bloomfield's 12-hit attack. The Lady Wildcats (7-1) broke out for four runs in the top of the first inning, added a run in the third, two more in the fourth and clinched the win with a six-run outburst in the fifth.
"We played great as a team," New Bloomfield head coach Dara Reinkemeyer said. "We were more disciplined at the plate and had more good swings.
"We put the ball in play and the girls took advantage."
Senior first baseman Stephanie Davis was also 2-for-2 with two RBI and two runs scored for the Lady Wildcats, while junior third baseman Madison Love finished 1-for-3 with a double, an RBI and scored once. Sophomore shortstop Madi Craighead was 2-for-4 and scored two runs.
New Bloomfield junior starter Kate Baxter tossed a three-hit shutout in going the distance for the victory. Baxter logged five strikeouts and walked one.
The Lady Wildcats triumphed in the junior varsity game 8-0.
New Bloomfield travels to Harrisburg for a non-conference encounter at 5 p.m. Wednesday.