Lady Cougars top M'duke, Riverside in league play

On Thursday, the girls in blue rocked, socked and clocked host Riverside 15-0 in a shortened contest at Caraway.

"We came out ready to play Thursday," Lady Cougar coach Bob Alberson said. "There've been a few games here lately where we had some trouble finding our rhythm, but we had everything working against Riverside."

Amanda Bradford had an outstanding outing for Rector, picking up the win in three hitless innings. Bradford rang up eight batters and walked one, just barely missing out on hurling a perfect game.

"She did a really good job for us," Alberson said. "I thought she did a good job of going out there and throwing strikes."

Bradford also made a lot of noise at the plate, connecting on a three-run homerun in the first inning. Offense was in abundant supply for the Lady Cougars. Rector took a 6-0 lead in the first inning, then soared ahead 10-0 through two frames. The girls notched five more in the third to bring about the abrupt end.

Stephanie DeMent finished the day 2-2 with three RBIs. Bradford was 1-1 with three RBIs from her homerun and a walk.

Also hitting for Rector were Harmony Cagle 1-2 with two RBIs, Bethany Sisneros 1-1 with two RBIs and a walk, Rebecca Dodd 1-2 with an RBI and a walk, Brittany Sharp 1-2 with an RBI and a walk, Kayla Hampton 1-2 with an RBI and Hillary Calhoun 1-2 with an RBI.

With the win, Rector improved to 10-2 overall and 8-2 in conference play.

Marmaduke win

The Lady Cougars squeaked by rival Marmaduke 19-18 in softball action last Tuesday in Rector thanks to some late game heroics.

Finding themselves trailing 18-13 going into the bottom of the seventh, the Lady Cougars were able to come through with the necessary offense to win. Newcomer Hampton drove in two runs with a double to tie the game. DeMent, the leadoff hitter, came around again, doubling off the left-center fence to bring in Hampton for the win.

Bradford came away with the win for Rector. Courtney Thompson was given the loss for Marmaduke.

DeMent led the way at the plate in the slugfest, going 5-6 with two RBIs. Also hitting for Rector were Calhoun 3-4 with two RBIs, Hampton 2-3 with four RBIs, Bradford 3-4 with three RBIs, Cagle 2-3 with two RBIs, Dodd 2-3 with two RBIs, Sisneros 2-3 with two RBIs, Dodd 2-4 with an RBI, Sharp 2-4 with an RBI and Rhoda Classen 2-4 with an RBI.

The recent rains have slowed the Lady Cougars thus far this week. The team is slated to visit EPC at 4 p.m. Friday before starting the district tourney at Monette on Monday. Rector is currently in second place in 2A-3 league play.