High school softball: North Callaway 11, Mark Twain 1

AUXVASSE - Junior third baseman Mikayla Pennell had four hits and drove in five runs as the Ladybirds overpowered the Lady Tigers in five innings in an Eastern Missouri Conference romp Tuesday night.

North Callaway (10-12, 6-3 EMO) put up two runs in the bottom of the first inning and added three runs in the second to make it 5-0. The Ladybirds then put up two runs apiece in the third, fourth and fifth to end the game on the mercy rule.

Mark Twain (4-15, 2-6) scored its only run in the top of the fifth.

Pennell was 4-for-4 with a triple, two doubles and three runs scored to spark North Callaway's 12-hit attack. Senior shortstop Ellie Eckert finished 3-for-3 with a triple and scored three runs, while senior first baseman Clara Moser went 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored.

Junior pitcher Hayley Kimbley tossed a three-hitter to secure the complete-game victory for the Ladybirds. Kimbley (8-9) struck out five and allowed an unearned run.

"This was a good win," North Callaway head coach Mariah McKee said. "Our bats came alive and Hayley pitched an excellent game."

The Ladybirds close out the regular season when they host Bowling Green in an EMO matchup at 5 p.m. Thursday.