Cougars manufacture three runs in sixth inning, beat Tigers to gain leg up in Lewis County rivalry

EWING, Mo. — For at least a few days, the Highland softball team will have bragging rights in Lewis County.

A three-run sixth inning, along with some steady play defensively, enabled the Cougars to knock off Canton 3-1 Tuesday night in the first of two regular-season meetings between the Lewis County schools. The Tigers will play host to the Cougars next Monday.

This time, Highland had to rally after falling behind by a run.

With one out in the top of the third inning, the Tigers got a rally started with a single through the left side of the infield by Kadee Guilfoyle. Macy Glasgow drew a walk and a wild pitch allowed both runners to advance. A lineout to Highland first baseman Catherine Darnell forced the runners to hold, but Kadence Taylor reached on an infield single that scored courtesy runner Marissa McIntosh.

The Cougars (9-4) didn’t answer until the bottom of the sixth.

Bailie Crist led off the inning with a double to center field, went to third on a passed ball and scored the tying run on a fielder’s choice ground ball by Abby Lay. Haleigh Winter followed with a double to left field, and Lay scored the go-ahead run on Darnell’s sacrifice fly. Hannah Ritterbusch’s sacrifice fly plated the final run.

In the seventh, Taylor led off with a single, but a strikeout and a groundout followed. An error allowed Brenna Brewer to reach safely, but Taylor was thrown out at home to end the game.

Winter had two of the Cougars’ six hits, while Lay allowed one run and five hits while striking out six and walking one. Taylor had two hits for Canton (6-5), while Guilfoyle allowed three runs and six hits with three strikeouts and one walk.