Lady Wildcats throttle Tuscumbia in three innings

The New Bloomfield Lady Wildcats exploded for 17 hits and opened Show-Me Conference play with an 18-2, three-inning drubbing of the Tuscumbia Lady Lions on Thursday.

Sophomore pitcher Madison Love (2-1) fanned six and allowed two runs - one earned - on two hits and two walks in improving to 2-1 on the year.

Love also finished 2-for-2 with two doubles and four RBIs as six other New Bloomfield batters finished with two hits.

New Bloomfield (3-1, 1-0) scored twice in the bottom of the first inning, tallied seven in the second and finished the game with a nine-run outburst in the third. Tuscumbia scored both its runs in the third.

Senior second baseman Kennedy Pieter was 2-for-3 and matched Love with four RBIs. Freshman shortstop Madi Craighead was 2-for-3 with a triple and an RBI and freshman catcher Shelby Ruppel was 2-for-3 with two RBIs.

Senior designated player Megan Jenkins also finished 2-for-3 and had a double and an RBI while senior center fielder Mykaela Bonnett was 2-for-3.

Senior right fielder Taylor Howard was 1-for-2 with an RBI and junior pinch-hitter Stephanie Davis was 1-for-1 and drove in two game-ending RBIs.

"Every game they're learning something new that they have to learn and we're also celebrating the successes of winning," Lady Wildcats head coach Dara Reinkemeyer said.

New Bloomfield's JV team opened its season with a 9-0 win.

The Lady Wildcats host Hallsville at 5 p.m. tonight.