Bulldogs blank Hardin County to start season

The Harrisburg softball team cruised to a 11-0 win over Hardin County to kick its season off in style Monday.

Freshman Kerrigan Payne picked up the opening day win, working five innings and facing 17 batters, while giving up just two hits, while striking out six and walking one.

At the plate, Southeast Missouri State recruit Karsyn Davis paced the Bulldogs at the plate, by going 2-for-3 with a two-run home run over the scoreboard in the third inning that led to five runs. Davis drove in three on the day and just missed out on another home run that landed just in front of the fence.

Hannah Reed was 2-for-2 for Harrisburg, while Madeline Rider, Essence Sanders, Lexi Williams, McKenzie Marshall and Payne all had one hit. Rider, Sanders, Williams and Marshall all finished with an RBI.

Harrisburg scored one run in the first inning and tacked on three more runs in the second. The third inning was highlighted by Davis' home run and the 'Dogs got two more runs in the fourth inning.

Harrisburg head coach Red Stafford, who begins his 22nd year on the diamond, thought Monday's victory was a total team win.

"Payne threw well and even though she had a case of the nerves, Karsyn Davis, being a senior, really stepped in and helped calm her down. We did a good job of hitting the ball, got some kids in scoring position and drove them in. It's what you want to see the first time out of the gate. We didn't look like we had too much rust."

Harrisburg will return to action Saturday at the Fairfield Spring Swing, where they will take on Altamont at 8:30 a.m.