LINTON – Annie Waggoner, an Indiana State recruit and Miss Softball candidate, struck out a school-record 18 batters as No.5 Bedford North Lawrence leveled Linton 9-2 during high school softball action on Monday afternoon.
Waggoner (7-2) took a no-hitter into the bottom of the sixth before the Miners collected their only two hits. BNL’s Braxton McCauley and Ava Ratliff hammered home runs as the Stars improved to 10-3.
The Stars took control with three runs in the second. McCauley led off with a blast to right. Aliza Jewell singled to continue the rally, and BNL took advantage of two Linton errors for the next two runs.
McCauley ripped a triple and scored on Jewell’s sacrifice fly in the third. BNL broke away with a four-run fourth. Tori Nikirk doubled and later scored on a Haley Davis bunt. Ratliff crushed a three-run homer for an 8-0 lead.
After Haleigh Canada made an impressive play at third base to preserve the no-hitter in the fourth, the Miners finally got on the board in the sixth. After Adyson Littlejohn walked, Reagan Kearns laced a RBI double left and Kylie Cooksey added a RBI single.
“The curve and rise all were working well,” Waggoner said. “I just felt fluid tonight.”
“Annie’s pitching was very good tonight,” BNL coach Brad Gilbert said. “Braxton hit well and ran the base very well. Ava’s home run was another 250-plus shot. I am sure the girls were a little tired from our games this weekend, so it was a good win.”
The Stars will start Hoosier Hills Conference play on Thursday, visiting New Albany.
