The Green Lady Bobcats, who advanced to the Division III regional semifinals last season, opened the new softball season with a 17-0 spanking of the Beaver Eastern Lady Eagles in a Southern Ohio Conference game.

Thursday, March 30, 2000

The Green Lady Bobcats, who advanced to the Division III regional semifinals last season, opened the new softball season with a 17-0 spanking of the Beaver Eastern Lady Eagles in a Southern Ohio Conference game.

Jessica Butler fired a one-hitter in the five-inning game. The only hit she allowed was a fourth inning double. She struck out five and did not walk a batter.

The Lady Bobcats had 10 hits led by Ann Barrett who was 3-for-3, and Heidi McDavid and Jessie Blankenship 2-4 each.

Green erupted for 11 runs in the first.

Courtney Moore walked, stole second, took third on a hit by McDavid, and both scored when Erica Hall reached on an error.

Barrett singled home Hall, Jennifer Cline was safe on an error, and Erica Bradley then doubled home a pair. Butler was hit by a pitch, a passed ball advanced the runners, and Jessie Blankenship had a two-run single.

An out later, Moore walked and Hall doubled home Blankenship. The runners advanced on two wild pitches, and Barrett had a two-run single. Barrett then scored on a wild pitch.

The lead went to 13-0 in the third. Bradley and Butler each walked, a wild pitch moved them up, and Blankenship had a two-run double.

The final four runs scored in the fourth.

Moore walked, stole second and went to third on a wild pitch. McDavid had an RBI single, Hall walked, and Barrett tripled home two more.

Barrett scored the final run on a passed ball.

Green plays at Greenup County, Ky., at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

Eastern 000 00 – 0 1 3

Green (11)02 4x – 17 10 0

Aliff and Jones. Jessica Butler and Jennifer Cline. W-Butler (5-K, 0-W). L-Aliff (1-K, 11-W). 2B-Eastern: Leach. Green: Jessie Blankenship, Erica Bradley, Erica Hall. 3B-Green: Ann Barrett. Hitting-Green: Jessie Blankenship 2-4, Ann Barrett 3-3, Heidi McDavid 2-4 (RBI).