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After a slow start, the Monroe High School softball team's bats came alive Tuesday afternoon, May 13, against Franklin.

Trailing 2-1 in the fourth inning, the Hornets plated seven runs en route to a 12-2 run-rule victory over the Wildcats in a Division II sectional tournament game at Monroe.

"We we're a little slow getting out of the box, but we finally got the bats woken up," Monroe softball coach Keith Truesdell said. "I was really happy with the offensive effort today. With the way the game started there in the first inning, it looked a little rough. It scared us a little bit, but we regrouped and got out act together, and played a pretty good game overall."

The Wildcats got things going in the top of the first inning when Katie Chamberlain placed a bunt over first base that landed just inside the line for a one-out single. After Chamberlain advanced to third base on a wild pitch and a passed ball, Kristen Gebhardt walked and took second on catcher's indifference to put runners at second and third. Dutchess Stogner then doubled to left field to give the Wildcats an early 2-0 lead. Those runs would prove to be the only offense Franklin would muster as junior pitcher Nikki Tolson settled down to get the final two outs and allowed only three hits over the final five innings.

Senior third basemen Laura Cain got the fourth inning rally started with a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Four consecutive singles followed to put the Hornets ahead 4-2 and knock Franklin starting pitcher Sierra Jeffery out of the game. Following the pitching change, junior outfielder Lauren Turner tripled to left field to bring home two more runs and extend the lead to 6-2. Senior outfielder Desirae Barker followed with a single to left field to score Turner, and Tolson brought home the final run of the inning with a two-out bloop single to center field.

"I was a little scared first inning when they got two runs right off the bat," Monroe senior outfielder Tamara Davis said. "Sometimes our bats don't come out so early. I'm glad they did today."

The Hornets added four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to invoke the mercy rule. Freshman shortstop Marissa Gibbs hit a two-out, two-run double to center field to bring home the final two runs for Monroe, which improved its record to 13-10. Franklin finished the season at 9-11.

"Obviously it wasn't the turnout the we hoped for. We hoped for our seniors that it would have been better," Franklin softball coach Holly Daniels said. "We've had some injuries in pitching, and it's caused us to really have some problems in the last few games. Inexperience kind of showed on us this game."

Monroe advances to play Wilmington at 5 p.m. Thursday at Monroe.

Contact this reporter at dgedney@coxohio.com.

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