EC crushes Crosby for big shutout

In their final game before district play, the Lady 'Birds took out Crosby in a blowout for softball. El Campo claimed the win 6-0.

Emily Bergstrom worked well to hold Crosby scoreless through the first three innings until El Campo came through with a pair of runs. Even after the Lady 'Birds scored, Bergstrom continued her dominance by only allowing four hits on the night.

The Lady 'Birds earned the game's first two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Alexis Cooper hit a lead-off single to left field. Hayley Pierce came in to run the bases for her and moved around during the next couple at-bats to prepare for a score.

Bergstrom hit into a fly ball to center field for the first out, but Gabby Macias followed with a base hit. She reached base on a single and gave El Campo two base runners.

Crosby's pitcher sent Kristi Michaelsen back to the dugout on strikes and Lindsey Marik came up to the plate with two outs and two runners on base.

Marik sent the ball to right field and Crosby made a fielding error. The defensive mistake allowed Pierce and Macias to run in for scores to give El Campo a 2-0 lead.

Angela Fiala came up to bat next and hit into a ground ball to Crosby's second baseman for the final out of the inning.

El Campo scored three runs in the fifth to take a major lead.

Anna Raun started the scoring run with a single. She moved over to second on a ground ball by Brittney Oates. She was out on a fielder's choice after Crosby's second baseman threw her out at first base, but Raun was at second in scoring position.

An odd play occurred on Danielle Smith's following at-bat that scored two runs. Crosby's catcher misplayed a bunt allowing Smith to take first and Raun to move to third base. The catcher could not relay an accurate throw in the play and Raun eventually ended up home with Smith rounding the bases behind her.

Smith ultimately reached home plate because of Crosby's error and boosted El Campo's lead to 4-0.

In the next at-bat, Cooper hit a single to left field and Pierce came in to run for her again.

A ground out to the shortstop by Bergstrom sent Pierce to an extra base while Bergstrom was thrown out at first. It was a nice sacrifice hit that set up a run.

With two outs, Macias hit a single to bring Pierce in for the final run of the inning.

After Michaelsen hit a single in the next at-bat, Macias was caught stealing third for the final out. But El Campo led 5-0.

One more inning meant one more run for the Lady 'Birds.

Marik, the lead-off batter, hit a triple to bring the top of the lineup to bat.

Fiala hit into a fielder's choice out straight to the pitcher who tried to get Marik out. She made a throw to the shortstop, who was covering third, but with no hope of catching Marik, the play turned to first. Fiala was barely beaten out on a nice throw.

El Campo threatened to extend the lead over the next couple at-bats, but Crosby ultimately prevented further runs and kept the score at 6-0.

Bergstrom finished off Crosby in the top of the seventh to complete the shutout and the Lady 'Birds moved to 12-4-1 on the season.