The Fairfield Lady Lions returned to Southern Hills Athletic Conference play on Monday hosting a young West Union Lady Dragons team. Fairfield blanked West Union 15-0 behind the shutout pitching of sophomore Katelyn Chambliss. It was her second victory on the season.
Fairfield improved to 2-0 in the Southern Hills Athletic Conference and 4-0 overall, while West Union slipped to 1-4 and 0-3.
Fairfield continues to play outstanding softball with great defense, no errors on the afternoon, aggressive base running, and a relentless offensive attack. Caitlyn Quickle led the 16-hit attack with three hits and freshman shortstop Jobey Hattan blasted a home run to lead off the bottom of the third inning.
Chambliss retired the Lady Dragons in order in the top of the first inning. Fairfield scored five runs on three hits and forced West Union into two throwing errors in the bottom of the first inning. Halle Hamilton, Quickle, and Miller all had hits in the inning.
With one out in the top of second inning, West Union’s Audrey Weakley reached first base on an infield single. But on the next pitch junior catcher Miller threw her out stealing second as shortstop Hattan applied the tag. Chambliss then retired the next hitter on a ground ball to shortstop.
Fairfield scored five more runs in the bottom of the second inning on seven hits. Halle Hamilton walked to lead off the inning, Hattan singled, Quickle doubled, Emmi Vance singled, Chambliss singled, Sydney Sanders singled, Hannah Hamilton singled and Sydney Hooper singled to complete the scoring.
West Union looked to rally in the top of the third inning with back-to-back singles by Payton Stapleton and Carly Leonard to lead off the inning. But Chambliss gets a ground ball back to circle and forced the lead runner at third, then shut the door by striking out the next two Lady Dragon batters.
Hattan led off the bottom of the third inning for the Lady Lions and promptly blasted a home run over the left field fence. Quickle followed with a single, Vance doubled, Sanders singled, Miller was hit by pitch, Hannah Hamilton singled, and Hooper singled.
Chambliss shut the door on the Lady Dragons in the fourth and fifth innings, striking out four out of the last five batters to secure her second victory.
Leading hitters for the Lady Lions were: Halle Hamilton (1 for 2, 2 runs, 2 walks), Jobey Hattan (2 for 3, home run, 3 runs, 2 RBIs), Caitlyn Quickle (3 for 3, double, 3 runs), Emmi Vance (2 for 3, double, 2 runs, 2 RBIs), Katelyn Chambliss (1 for 4, 1 run, 1 RBI), Sydney Sanders (2 for 2, 3 runs, 1 RBI), Faith Miller (1 for 2, 1 hbp, 2 RBIs), Hannah Hamilton (2 for 3, 1 run, 3 RBIs), and Sydney Hooper (2 for 3, 1 RBI).
Chambliss (2-0) was the winning pitcher for Fairfield. She threw five innings allowing no runs on 4 hits, while striking out six. She did not allow a walk.
Sara Boldman (0-3) suffered the loss for West Union. She pitched two innings, allowing 10 runs (five earned) on 10 hits and three walks. She did not strike anyone out. Carly Leonard pitched two innings, allowing five runs (all earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out one.
The Fairfield Lady Lions was to travel to Miami Trace High for a 5 p.m. game Tuesday. They host a quad match Saturday with games at noon and 2 p.m.
Tom Purtell is a softball coach at Fairfield High School.
