HANOVER— It was the dawn of a new season for the Crothersville Lady Tiger’s softball program on Saturday, competing in the Sue Siekman Classic at Southwestern (Hanover).

The team would face off with the hosting Rebels and then square off with neighboring foe in Austin. Crothersville lost to Southwestern 18-0, before dropping their second game to the Eagles 11-0.

Tigers Head Coach Bryant Hughes spoke on the performance from the team.

“We looked good in some spots, for having seven girls who’ve never played ball before,” he said. “I thought we looked impressive in a few places. We made some plays, on both sides of the ball, in the second game we looked better in my opinion.”

In game 1, Crothersville fell into a deep 8-0 hole after the first inning and could never recover, dropping the game by 18 in 5 innings. Hali Burton recorded the lone hit for the Tigers.

Zoey Prince started on the mound, pitching four innings, allowing 18 runs, 10 hits, and striking out six batters in her performance. The Tigers would strike out 12 times on offense in the opening game.

Southwestern brought out the bats, recording 14 total hits, led by Ashley Fulton, who hit a triple and a homer at the plate. She also started the game for the Rebels, pitching all five innings, allowing just one hit, and striking out a dozen Crothersville batters.

In the second matchup with the Eagles, Crothersville hung with Austin through the first two innings, trailing 1-0 to start the third inning. Austin poured on six runs to take the commanding 7-0 lead, never looking back, and ending the game in five innings 11-0.

Coach Hughes spoke on the loss to Austin.

“That’s a tough team we just played,” he said. “We are going to come in and just go to work like we did today. We will give it another go in our next matchup with the Lanesville Eagles on Wednesday.”

Crothersville meets Lanesville at 5:30 p.m. on Apr. 10th. The game is at Lanesville High School.

Jordan Richie pitched for Austin, going five innings, allowing two hits, and striking out ten batters for Austin. Richie also hit a home run and a triple in the game. She led Austin with three runs batted in and three hits.

Hughes picked up both hits for the Tigers in the game with Austin. Hughes also started on the mound, allowing five hits, four earned runs, five walks and three strikeouts.

Prince relieved Hughes, pitching 1.1 innings, allowing three hits, two earned runs and walking two batters. She also struck out two Eagles in her performance.

The Tigers fell to 0-2 to start their 2023-24 season and now prepare for Lanesville on Wednesday evening.

Game 1

Crothersville (0-1) at Southwestern (Hanover) (4-2)

Crothersville; 0

Southwestern; 18

Hits: Crothersville — Burton. Southwestern — Fulton, Morrison (3); Birchfield, McAfee, Crawford, (2); Scroggins, Leach.

2B: Southwestern — Crawford. 3B: Southwestern — Fulton. HR: Southwestern — Fulton

RBI: Southwestern — McAfee (4); Crawford (3); Morrison, Fulton (2); Birchfield, Leach, Hofelich

WP: Fulton, Southwestern. LP: Prince, Crothersville.

Game 2

Crothersville (0-2) at Austin (1-2)

Crothersville; 0

Austin; 11

Hits: Crothersville — Hughes (2); Colwell Austin — Richie (3); Couch (2); Montgomery, White, Madden. 2B: Austin — White, Montgomery. 3B: Austin — Richie. HR: Austin — Richie. RBI: Austin — Richie (3); Montgomery (2); Couch.

WP: Richie, Austin. LP: Hughes, Crothersville.