Clearfield Softball Collects 17 Hits in 11-5 Win Over Central

MARTINSBURG — The Clearfield Lady Bison took care of Mountain League foe Central Tuesday evening by a score of 11-5. The bats came alive for Clearfield as they more than doubled their runs for the season in their third game of 2021.

“We had a big day at the plate,” said Clearfield Head Coach Derek Danver. “We hit the ball well and we executed some great base running and key bunt for hit situations which helped make a big difference for us.”

The trio of Lauren Ressler, Olivia Bender, and Ruby Singleton combined for 11 of the 17 Clearfield hits in the game, with Ressler going a perfect five-for-five at the dish. Bender and Singleton each collected three hits Tuesday evening. Alexis Benton and Alexis Bumbarger each had multi-hit games and pitcher Emma Hipps was able to connect for a base hit.

Clearfield kicked off the scoring for the game in the top of the first as Olivia Bender’s single plated Lauren Ressler who singled and was advanced to third earlier in the inning.

The Lady Bison were able to take a 2-0 lead in the top of the third as Morgan Cheek’s singe plated Bumbarger, who had singled and stole second earlier in the inning.

This lead would not last long as Central knotted the score up at two in their half of the third inning.

The top of the fourth saw Clearfield plate three and take the lead back, 5-2. Ressler was able to drive in Singleton who doubled earlier in the inning. Ressler would eventually come around to score thanks to an Olivia Bender single. After Bender advanced to second on a ground out, she was knocked in by teammate Alexis Benton who doubled to make it a three run lead for Clearfield.

The Lady Bison would add two more runs in the sixth inning as Emma Hipps scored Singleton, who bunted for a hit earlier in the inning. Later in the inning, Bender would plate Ressler who connected on a single to right field earlier in the sixth and this would make it a 7-2 lead in favor of Clearfield.

After Central added two runs in the home half of the sixth to make it a 7-4 ball game, the Lady Bison added four insurance runs in the top of the seventh to put the game out of reach for Central.

After a double from Benton and a single from Bumbarger, Cheek plated Benton by way of an RBI ground out. Bumbarger would soon come around to score as smart base running helped her advance to third and then score on a steal of home to make it 9-4 Clearfield. After a Singleton base knock, Ressler helped Cleafield complete the “bloop and the blast” as she homered to right field. The lead was now 11-4 in favor of Clearfield.

Central was able to add one run of their own in the last half inning, but the late game rally proved to be too little and too late as the Lady Bison held on for the victory.

“I think we settled in nicely at the plate today and Emma (Hipps) really battled on the bump as well. She pitched back-to-back games and threw over 100 pitches in each, but I was impressed again with how she pitched.”

Clearfield returns to action Thursday afternoon as they travel to take on Tyrone. Game time is slated for 4:30 p.m.

Clearfield – 11

Ruby Singleton (RF) 5330, Lauren Ressler (1B) 5453, Emma Hipps (P) 5011, Olivia Bender (C) 4233, Alaina Fedder (SS) 5000, Alexis Benton (CF) 4121, Alexis Bumbarger (3B) 3120, Morgan Cheek (LF) 4012, Kylee Hertlein (2B) 3000, Anna Twigg (PH/2B) 1000 TOTALS 39 11 17 10.

Central – 5

A. Kennedy (P) 4120, M. Hazzenstab (3B) 4111, L. Lynn (SS) 2212, M. Benfer (1B) 4000, T. Stock (2B) 3022, B. Ellis (C) 3000, R. Dodson (LF) 3000, M. Daughtry (RF) 3000, K. Hoyt (CF) 2100 TOTALS 28 5 6 5.

Score by Innings

Clearfield 1001324
Central 0002021

Pitching

Clearfield

Emma Hipps 7 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 15 K.

Central

A. Kennedy 7 IP, 19 H, 11 R, 10 ER, 2 BB, 0 K.

W – Emma Hipps (2-1). L – A. Kennedy (0-1)