Prep Softball: Defense saves the day for Eldorado

Some slick fielding and outstanding defense played a big part in Eldorado's 2-1 win over Wayne City Thursday at the Eldorado Sports Complex.

After Wayne City tied the game at 1-all in the sixth inning and still threatening with runners at second and third base, Eagle second baseman Kelsea Newman laid out to make a driving stop, saving a pair of runs to help Eldorado go into the bottom portion of the frame where they scored the go-ahead run.

Caitlyn Stafford led the bottom of the sixth off with a single and following a pair of outs from Michaela Laswell and McKenna Bowen, Stafford stole second and followed it up by swiping third.

On the ensuing steal of third base, the ball scooted away and Stafford scored on a bang-bang play at home plate to give Eldorado a 2-1 lead.

Wayne City put the rally caps on again in the top of the seventh, getting the first two runners on.

Heads up defense allowed Eldorado to get a force out at third thanks in part to Laswell pouncing on a would-be sacrifice bunt. With runners at first and second, Laswell got Pasley to pop up and followed it up with a strikeout of Green.

Laswell got the win in the circle (1-1) going the distance and striking out 12, while giving up one run (unearned) on five hits.

Laswell and Claire Miller combined for 25 strikeouts on the day and issued no walks.

Eldorado got just two hits off Miller, who settled in after the first inning where she gave up a leadoff double to Stafford, who finished 2-for-3 on the day, with a pair of runs scored.

Eldorado returns to action Monday where they travel to Pope County for a 4 p.m. contest. The Eagles close out the week with a home contest against Benton and are at Harrisburg Friday.