THE PLAINS — Ever since dropping its first two divisional matchups earlier in the seasons, Athens has been on an absolute tear over the past week, quickly garnering back any momentum the program might’ve lost. Winning six out of its last seven, all of them divisional victories, the Bulldogs (11-4, 6-2 Tri-Valley Conference-Ohio) kept the good vibes going on Tuesday afternoon with a 13-2 takedown of Alexander at home.
Scoring in every inning, including 11 in the first two frames, Athens was able to build up a comfortable lead early in the contest before eventually being able to cruise to the five-inning victory.
Kayla Hammonds would finish with a game-high three RBIs and three runs scored on two hits, including an inside-the-park home run. Rylee Tadvine and Khyla Brannon would each finish with a pair of hits as well, driving in two runs respectively. Fern Sigman, Ellie Beck-Aden and Olivia Dowler would also record a hit for Athens. Kendra Hammonds would also reach base via walk in all three of her plate appearances.
She would also get the start on the mound and ultimately pick up the win after five innings of three-hit ball, allowing just two runs while striking out and walking eight.
The Spartans (2-8, 1-6 TVC-Ohio) would struggle on the night at the plate, only being able to accrue three hits as a team. Kaylee Hudnall would lead the way out of the leadoff spot, grabbing a hit and two RBIs while also drawing a walk. Ellie Day would have the only other two hits for Alexander.
Despite allowing the Spartans to threaten in the top of the first with a pair of runners reaching base, Athens started to run away with this one just a few moments later.
Just three batters into the bottom of the frame, the Bulldogs would take a lead when Beck-Aden scampered home on a wild pitch. Toadvine would then single in a runner before a third run crossed the plate without an out ever being recorded. Athens would plate two more home in the frame due to some errors from Alexander’s defense, making it a 5-0 game heading into the second.
After a pair of walks put two more runners on base in the top of the second, Hudnall would cut into the lead with a two-run double to right field to seemingly help give the Spartans any bit of momentum.
That momentum would quickly be gashed.
Following a single and a walk to start the bottom of the second, Kayla Hammonds would drill a two-run double down the left field line to extend the lead. A few batters later, Toadvine and Brannon would rip back-to-back RBI doubles to suddenly make it a 10-2 game. Athens would then plate one more across in the inning, giving them a nine-run advantage going into the third.
The Bulldogs would get out of the top of the third with a double before going right back to work with the bats. Kayla Hammonds would smack a ball into right field and make a trip all around the bases for the inside-the-park home run to make it a double-digit deficit for the Spartans.
Athens would then plate home one more in the fourth on an RBI groundout off the bat of Erika Isphording before eventually shutting the Spartans down in quick order, securing the victory.
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