SOFTBALL: Stringfellow fans 10, Lady Cardinals erupt in third to shut out Jay

One inning was all it took for Verdigris to seize complete control.

A 5-run surge in the third broke open a scoreless contest, and with ace pitcher Rilyn Stringfellow dominating in the circle, the Lady Cardinals never looked back.

Stringfellow tossed a no-hitter, striking out 10 and walking just 1 in five innings of work to lead Verdigris to a 10-0 run-rule victory over Jay in District 4A-7 play Friday at home. The right-hander got stronger as the game went on, recording 3 strikeouts in both the second and fifth innings to slam the door.

Stringfellow wasn’t the only bright spot.

Sydney Lewis and Harlie Tucker powered the offense with 2 hits apiece, while Olivia Young delivered the big blow with a 2-RBI double in the decisive third inning. Young led the Lady Cardinals with 2 runs driven in, while Lewis added a double of her own and stole multiple bases.

Connelly Mitchell also swiped 2 as Verdigris finished with 9 steals overall.

The Lady Cardinals showed patience at the plate, drawing 7 walks. Brinlee Murray and Tucker worked 2 free passes each, while Verdigris’ aggressive baserunning frequently turned those walks into runs.

After two scoreless innings, the Lady Cardinals finally broke through in the third.

Gabi Sherman was hit by a pitch to start the rally, and back-to-back bunts from Tucker and Lewis loaded the bases. Stringfellow then hit into a fielder’s choice to score Sherman for a 1-0 lead, and Murray added another run on a sacrifice bunt.

An error extended the frame and plated a third run before Young doubled to center, bringing home two more for a commanding 5-0 cushion.

Verdigris kept rolling in the fourth.

Tucker drew a walk and scored on Lewis’ RBI double. Lewis then stole third and came home on a passed ball to make it 7-0. Later in the inning, Mitchell singled home another run, pushing the advantage to 8-0.

The Lady Cardinals closed it out in the fifth with two more.

Madison Beauchamp reached on a bunt single and eventually came around to score on a wild pitch, with Sherman also racing home on the same play to finish the scoring at 10-0.

The Lady Bulldogs' only baserunner came on a third-inning walk, and they briefly threatened when that runner reached third after an error.

Stringfellow regrouped, though, freezing a hitter for strike three to end the inning. From there, she retired the final six batters she faced, finishing the no-hit bid in style.

Verdigris (3-0 overall, 1-0 in district play) now turns its attention to a county rivalry matchup, hosting Catoosa at 5 p.m. Tuesday.