Sterling on 4-game win streak; defeats Geronimo 5-0

STERLING – Sterling’s softball squad is on a four-game winning streak with the Lady Tigers demonstrating top-notch pitching and hitting.

Sterling, ranked 10th in Class A with a 7-4 record, won its recent game by downing Geronimo 5-0 on Tuesday. Pitcher Kaleigh Budd was credited with the win, giving up only one hit over seven innings. Budd also struck out 10 Geronimo hitters and walked none.

Sterling tallied single runs in the first, second, and third innings before adding two more in the bottom of the sixth to seal the win.

The winning streak will be put to the test when Sterling plays top teams Arapaho, Cyril and Seiling, Lady Tiger head coach Marty Curry said.

“We’re playing better than we were (earlier),” he said. “I can think we can do a lot of good things, but our next few games are going to be tough.”

Sterling travels to Arapaho on Aug. 29, plays in the Depew Tournament Aug. 25-27, takes on Seiling at the Hydro Festival and hosts Cyril on Friday, Sept. 2.

Sterling unleased an offensive attack against Fletcher on Aug. 16 as Shelby Pearson went 2-for-3 at the plate while Emma Nunley was 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Lacy Spence was credited with three hits in four plate appearances. Morgan Nunley and Budd combined for the four-inning no-hitter with Nunley picking up the win. The two pitchers collected eight strikeouts and gave up no walks.

Sterling had another big offensive game Aug. 18 when the Lady Tigers downed Binger-Olney 10-0. Ellie Pierce went 3-for-3 at the pate while collecting two runs batted in and teammate Curry was credited with two hits and two runs batted in. Kenley Geiger also perfect at the plate with two hits while scoring two runs.

Budd was credited with the win after pitching four innings, striking out four and walking one batter.

Sterling’s next game against Marlow was more competitive as the Lady Tigers fell behind 7-4 in the second inning. Marlow didn’t score again, but Sterling scattered 18 hits including a home run and several doubles. The Lady Tigers tallied five runs in the fifth to take a 9-7 lead while adding two more in the sixth and seventh innings, respectively.

Shelby Spence clobbered a home run over the centerfield fence to start the sixth inning. Spence was 3-for-5 at the plate and scored two runs. Shelbi Pearson went 4-for-4 at the plate and had three RBIs for one of her biggest offensive games this season.