SOFTBALL: Moore, Hawks shut down Cougars

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 28, 2017 9:57 AM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

Janna Moore rocked and fired.

The ball curved toward the plate and painted the corner with the precision of Rembrandt.

Another sailed belt high and jammed the batter.

And, at times, the breaking pitch danced a little bit around the ankles.

No matter the placement, Goldsboro couldn't solve the North Lenoir right-hander Monday afternoon. Moore threw a five-hitter and filed 11 strikeouts during the Hawks' 16-1, six-inning victory in Eastern Carolina 2-A Conference play.

It was NL's league opener.

Cougars head coach TJ Lancaster saw the frustration on his batters' faces each time they returned to the dugout. Goldsboro entered the game with a .412 team batting average, but hit just .217 against Moore.

"We've got some good hitters," Lancaster said. "She made us look bad tonight, had us guessing. (I told my girls) you're a good hitter, but she had your number tonight. That was one thing she did well."

Moore allowed just eight base runners - four were left in scoring position and left fielder Catherine Palmer threw a runner out at home. Nikki Olmsted plated the Cougar's lone run on an RBI single in the fourth inning.

Matti Rose Lyon collected two hits.

Riley Howell and Taylor Lane each had one hit.

"She (Moore) thinks the screwball might be her best pitch, but I like the curveball, especially when you have those aggressive hitters who like to pull (the ball) and are looking for something inside," third-year Hawks head coach Jim Montague said.

Moore got plenty of help from her teammates, too.

The Hawks (6-2 overall) erupted for five first-inning runs, including a two-RBI double into the power alley by Barton signee Allison Montague. The senior catcher emerged as one five Hawks - along with Kelsie Stocks, Vanessa Cash, Taylor Brown and Cameron Flores - to turn in a multiple-hit performance.

The quintet combined for 10 RBI.

North Lenoir pounded out 10 of its 13 total hits with runners in scoring position. Taylor permitted seven walks and hit five batters during her 155-pitch outing inside the circle. The sophomore threw 81 strikes.

"Every hit they got was off her curveball," Lancaster said. "It was like 'well, we're not going to be able to throw that any more.' They always swing the bat well. That first inning hurt...put a lot of pitches on Marcy's arm."