Lincoln advances to semifinals with 8-2 tournament victory

Sloan Swearngin releases a pitch Friday against Green Ridge at Centennial Field in the Kaysinger Conference Tournament. Swearngin struck out 10 and allowed three hits and no walks. She was also hit by a pitch twice at the plate in an 8-2 victory over the Lady Tigers.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_DSC_1885.jpgSloan Swearngin releases a pitch Friday against Green Ridge at Centennial Field in the Kaysinger Conference Tournament. Swearngin struck out 10 and allowed three hits and no walks. She was also hit by a pitch twice at the plate in an 8-2 victory over the Lady Tigers.

Quincy Scotten follows-through on her delivery in an 8-2 loss to Lincoln during the Kaysinger Conference Tournament. Green Ridge defeated Tipton 11-1 in the first round before being relegated to the other side of the bracket Friday against Lincoln.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_DSC_1914.jpgQuincy Scotten follows-through on her delivery in an 8-2 loss to Lincoln during the Kaysinger Conference Tournament. Green Ridge defeated Tipton 11-1 in the first round before being relegated to the other side of the bracket Friday against Lincoln.

Genesis Smith drives a pitch Friday against Green Ridge during an 8-2 victory in the Kaysinger Conference Tournament at Centennial Field in Sedalia. Smith was 2-3 at the plate with 2 RBIs and a walk. Lincoln faces Cole Camp tomorrow at 11 a.m. in the semifinals of the conference tournament.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_DSC_1920.jpgGenesis Smith drives a pitch Friday against Green Ridge during an 8-2 victory in the Kaysinger Conference Tournament at Centennial Field in Sedalia. Smith was 2-3 at the plate with 2 RBIs and a walk. Lincoln faces Cole Camp tomorrow at 11 a.m. in the semifinals of the conference tournament.

Sloan Swearngin’s pace was brisk and effective, facing four over the minimum in a game where she hardly felt uncomfortable.

Aside from a triple in the sixth, Green Ridge produced little hard contact off Lincoln’s starter, and the No. 2 seed Lady Cardinals advanced to the semis of the Kaysinger Conference Tournament with an 8-2 victory in Sedalia.

Swearngin struck out 10 batters in seven innings and allowed three hits and no walks.

“I was just trying to get ahead early,” Swearngin said. “And whenever I was ahead, just move the ball around.”

Green Ridge head coach Melissa Brock said Swearngin’s rhythm and speed challenged the Lady Tiger lineup.

“It took a little while to get used to their pitcher,” Brock said. “She’s a lot quicker than what we’ve seen so far. It took us a time or two at bat to figure that out.”

Lincoln did all the damage they needed in the first. Paige Bybee led off the inning with a double. Swearngin, who was hit by two pitches Friday, followed with her first walk. Taylor Sanders drove in a run with a single, and Shelby Vandeveer benefited from an error at first to score Swearngin.

Genesis Smith, who had two RBIs, drove in Sanders with a single. When Aleah Paxton raced home during a 4-6 putout, Lincoln led 4-0.

The Lady Cardinals scored one in the second, fifth and added two runs in the second.

Madison Billingsley led off the top of the sixth with a single. MacKenley Scotten drove her in with a triple, the hardest-struck hit Green Ridge earned on the day. She scored on a groundout to second on the next at bat.

No. 7 seed Green Ridge was retired in order after a Natalie Hammers leadoff single in the seventh.

Quincy Scotten, a sophomore, pitched a complete game and struck out three. She allowed six hits after a 4-run first inning.

Lincoln head coach Staci Siercks said the Lady Cardinal’s approach against Quincy Scotten could have been better.

“It’s a patience thing, and we have to focus more,” Siercks said. “Hit better pitches.”

UP NEXT:

Green Ridge faces the winner of Smithton and Tipton tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. at Centennial Field in Sedalia.

Lincoln advances to the semifinals tomorrow against Cole Camp at 11 a.m.

OTHER SCORES:

Sacred Heart 12, Northwest 9

Green Ridge 11, Tipton 1

Windsor 12, Otterville 1

Cole Camp 16, Smithton 1

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La Monte 18, Sacred Heart 0