Blanchard downs Elgin twice in doubleheader

ELGIN – Blanchard won a pair of games Tuesday as the Elgin Lady Owls couldn’t muster enough offense in either contest.

In the first game, Blanchard held on to win 8-6 even as Elgin was making a late rally. The Lady Owls, 9-5, tallied single runs in the sixth and seventh innings, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Blanchard’s six-run fourth inning.

In the sixth, Elgin closed the gap to 6-5 when Lady Owl Ella Melton grounded out to shortstop with Braisley Wilson crossing the plate. Blanchard tallied two more in the bottom of the sixth to take an 8-5 lead.

Elgin tried one more rally attempt in the top of the seventh when Dez Monoessy scored on an RBI single by Jaemie Johns. However, Johns was later thrown out at second and two pop flies ended the game.

In the second game of the twin bill, Blanchard had little trouble with Elgin posting a 6-1 win. Blanchard tallied two runs in the top of the first inning, which was all that was needed. Elgin had 10 hits, but didn’t score until the bottom of the sixth inning. Elgin tallied its lone run on two singles and two walks.

Blanchard also scored two runs in the top of the third inning and sealed the victory with two runs in the top of the seventh.

Elgin’s Jordan Johnson had a big night at the plate getting four hits during four at-bats. She also scored Elgin’s only run.

Monoessy was tagged with the loss as she pitched seven innings while giving up five earned runs on 14 hits. She struck out one Blanchard hitter and walked one.

Elgin will compete in the Southwest Shootout Tournament Sept. 8-10 and then hit the road with consecutive games at Bridge Creek on Sept. 12, Kingfisher on Sept. 13 and at Anadarko on Sept. 15.