Lack of offense dooms Tigers

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

By Jason Peake

Daily Mail Sports Editor

NEVADA -- Nevada's Christian Novak and McDonald County's Taylor Pearcy were cruising along.

Both were locked in a competitive pitcher's duel early, keeping the opposing offense at bay and allowing virtually nothing.

But one team made some minor adjustments at the plate, and finally broke through.

Unfortunately for the host Tigers, it wasn't them.

McDonald County used a five-run fifth inning and defeated the host Tigers 5-0 on Tuesday at Bushwhacker Field.

Nevada Coach Tammy Holcomb said it was simple -- McDonald County made some adjustments at the plate and her team did not.

"We have got to make some adjustments at the plate," Holcomb said. "That was the big difference in this game. They (McDonald County) made some adjustments at the plate and we didn't. That was what came back to kick us."

The loss was the first of the season for the Tigers.

The game was scoreless after four innings, and the offense was lacking.

But the visiting Mustangs broke through against Novak in the top of the fifth.

After an out, Pearcy walked. Next, Joni Hanke hit a two-run home run to left, giving the Mustangs a 2-0 lead.

Sarah Rickman walked and then Autumn Hanks hit a two-run homer over the fence in right, making it 4-0. Novak then hit Stormy Christerson. After an out and a stolen base, McDonald County's Courtni Smith hit an RBI single for a 5-0 Mustangs advantage.

Novak then retired Kelsey Reynolds to end the inning.

Neither team scored in any other inning. However, the Tigers had their chances throughout the game.

With one out, Mackenzie Pritchett singled in the first. But Olivia Culbertson lined out and Pritchett was doubled up at first.

Nevada looked to be in business in the second, but stranded two. Tiffani Long singled to lead things off. Ashley Shumaker and Tori Dahmer both hit into a fielder's choice. Casey Barker then singled to left, but Victoria Culbertson was retired to end the inning.

Nikki O'Bryan singled in the third, but a double play once again ended the inning.

Olivia Culbertson led off the bottom half of the fourth with a double. But Pearcy then retired Long, Shumaker and Dahmer to end the threat.

Nevada went down one-two-three in the fifth.

The Tigers once again had runners on base in the sixth. O'Bryan singled and Pritchett bunted her over to second. Olivia Culbertson singled, putting runners on the corners with one out.

But Pearcy got Long to fly out and then retired Shumaker to end the inning.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Tigers had one last chance. Dahmer reached on an error, but Pearcy sent down Baker, Victoria Culbertson and JaLynn Heckadon in order to end the game.

After the loss, Coach Holcomb gave McDonald County's Pearcy credit, but also noted her team failed to get the clutch hits.

"She did a nice job, but we didn't make the adjustments the second and third times through the lineup," Holcomb said. "We had several runners on and just couldn't get them home."

A junior, Novak took the loss on the mound. She gave up 10 hits, four walks, hit one and struck out five. Novak didn't allow a run before or after the fifth.

Coach Holcomb said the team's offense needs to produce more runs.

"We can't rely on Christian to strike every batter out," she said. "We have to make the plays defensively and the offense has do their part."

Senior third baseman Olivia Culbertson and senior catcher O'Bryan had two hits apiece. Pritchett, Long and Baker had the only other hits of the game for Nevada.

The Tigers play at El Dorado Springs on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. Nevada is back home on Saturday at 1 p.m. against East Newton.

Notes: McDonald County improved to 8-3 on the season with the win. Mac County's losses this year have come at the hands of Neosho, Carthage and Columbia Rock Bridge.

Holcomb said senior Paije Gibbs has not been medically cleared to play.

McDonald County 5, Nevada 0

MAC 000 050 0 -- 5 10 1

NEV 000 000 0 -- 0 7 1

WP: Pearcy. LP: Novak.

Novak -- 10H, 5K, 4BB, HBP.

Pearcy -- 7H, 0BB, 2K.

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