NEW BLOOMFIELD - Junior starter Madison Love had three hits and knocked in three runs as the New Bloomfield Lady Wildcats softball team edged the North Callaway Ladybirds 5-3 in a Callaway County non-conference matchup Monday night.
North Callaway (14-5) tallied two runs in the top of the first inning, but New Bloomfield (14-6) came right back with two runs in its half of the inning to tie the game. The Lady Wildcats went in front to stay with three runs in the third, while the Ladybirds scored their final run in the fourth.
Love just missed hitting for the cycle, going 3-for-3 with a single, double and triple as New Bloomfield piled up 11 hits. Sophomore shortstop Madi Craighead also finished 2-for-3 and scored twice, while senior first baseman Stephanie Davis went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI.
Love went 5 2/3 innings to log the victory, giving up three runs - two earned - on only four hits. She struck out two and was able to overcome seven walks.
Senior third baseman Shannon Haley finished 2-for-2 with an RBI as North Callaway was limited to six hits.
Junior starter Taylor Wilson (6-2) was tagged with the loss for the Ladybirds, surrendering five earned runs on nine hits in only three innings. Wilson struck out none and walked none.
North Callaway (14-0-1) triumphed in the junior varsity game 2-0. New Bloomfield slipped to 7-2-1.
The Lady Wildcats travel to Linn for a Show-Me Conference matchup today, while the Ladybirds host Eastern Missouri Conference foe Mark Twain. Both games start at 5 p.m.