Bison Silence Blues’ Bats

The Parry McCluer High softball team stepped out of Pioneer District play last week, and the Fighting Blues ran into a buzzsaw.

Buffalo Gap pitcher Bailey Tribble limited PM (4-11) to only three hits to record the completegame shutout and lead the Bison (11-5) to an 11-0 victory last Thursday afternoon in Buena Vista.

In her five innings of work, the Buffalo Gap freshman struck out nine while walking only one. Only two PM baserunners moved into scoring position in the contest.

The Bison scored all the runs they needed in the first inning, taking advantage of three of PM’s five errors to plate three runs. Gap tacked on runs in every inning after that to secure the win.

Tribble helped her own cause at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, three runs scored and three RBIs. Three other Gap players also recorded two hits in the game, including Elissa Caricofe, who counted a home run among her two hits.

The Blues had a couple of opportunities to avoid the shutout, but each time Tribble worked out of the jam. In the third PM’s Natalie Mohler was hit by a pitch and moved to second when Jordyn Hostetter drew a two-out walk; Tribble ended the inning by inducing a harmless pop fly to the infield.

In the fifth, Remi Hickman drew a walk and raced to third when Logan Vest laced a double to center field. But Tribble struck out the next two batters to end the threat and the game.

Sophie Chittum and Alysa Wheeler singled to account for PM’s other two hits to go along with Vest’s two-bagger.

Now 3-2 against Pioneer District foes, PM will jump back into league play this week. The Blues will close out the regular season when they play host to district rival Craig County on Friday at 5 p.m. with a chance to solidify their position as the second seed heading into the Pioneer District tournament. Before the game, the Blues will honor their four seniors: Mohler, Wheeler, Olivia Julian and Logan Vest.