By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
Abby Burch threw a complete-game two-hitter while Hannah Gammill provided the power as the Beebe softball team defeated Lonoke 7-1 on Monday at Beebe High School.
It was the first game in 10 days for both teams after a spring break layoff, and both offenses were slow out of the gate.
Burch issued her only walk in the top of the first inning, and she got a small break when Alyssa Hearon’s line drive went right to outfielder Lexi Devore. A groundout to All-State shortstop ended the half inning.
Lonoke pitcher Maddison Pool sat Beebe down in order in the first inning, but the Lady Badgers got something going in the second with the help of a fielding error.
Lexy Lockhart reached base with one out when a pop fly was dropped in the infield. Burch then singled to put runners at first and second. A wild pitch advanced both runners into scoring position, and another wild pitch allowed Lockhart to score the first run of the game.
The bats start to come alive for Beebe in the bottom of the third. Katlyn Gordon hit a one-out, line-drive double to center field. Two batters later, Gammill cranked one out to left field for a 3-0 Beebe lead.
Beebe (8-6) posted three more in the fourth inning. Burch started the rally with a one-out, infield single, and then stole second base with no throw. Devore then singled to right field to score Burch. Molly Poe then singled to center field, and the runners advanced an extra base on an error. Devore then scored on a passed ball, and Poe made it 6-0 when Gordon hit an RBI base hit to center field.
The lead grew to 7-0 in the fifth inning after Gammill’s leadoff double. She later scored on a sacrifice fly by Haley Dinapoli.
Hearon finally got Lonoke (4-4) on the board in the top of the seventh. After her leadoff single, Hearon advanced all the way to third on an error in right field. She then scored on a grounder to first by Pool that set the final margin.
Gammill had 2 for 4 with a home run, a double, two runs scored and two RBIs. Gordon finished 3 for 4 at the plate with one run scored and one batted in. Burch went 3 for 3 at the plate. She also gave up no earned runs on three strikeouts and one walk in the circle.
Hearon had both of Lonoke’s two base hits.
Lonoke will host England in another nonconference game on Friday. Beebe plays at Jacksonville at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
