EARL WATT
• Leader & Times
The Lady Redskins made contact at the plate, but the Hugoton Lady Eagles made the plays in the field that kep the Lady Redskins from putting together scoring threats, and that led to a two-game sweep by the Lady Eagles over the Lady Redskins Friday at the National Beef Sports Complex.
In Game 1, the Lady Redskins only managed five hits and were beaned three times but could only cross the plate once in a 6-1 loss.
The Lady Redskins only struck out once in the game. But when they put the ball in play, the Hugoton third baseman made play after play on the infield, and the Lady Eagle left fielder made catch after catch as the Lady Redskins batter were getting ahead on all the pitches.
At times, Hugoton would move the second base to become the third infielder between second and third, and still the Lady Redskins could not adjust to hit the gaps on the right side.
Taylor Harding had a rough start, giving up four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out two.
Zoey Torres relieved Harding in the second inning and allowed two runs on two hits and a walk while striking out four in five-and-a-third innings.
Torres game back out to the circle in Game 2 and only allowed four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two, but the Lady Redskins couldn’t take advantage of base runners in a 4-3 loss.
Lizzie Mannel had a strong game at the plate with a three-for-three performance and scoring two of Liberal’s three runs.
But the Lady Redskins had an out at the plate and committed two errors in the loss.
Liberal outhit Hugoton 7-6.
Liberal will host Garden City for a Western Athletic Conference match-up today at the National Beef Family Sports Complex.