March 29, 2024

Roadrunners ace pitcher stymies Tigers

I-35’s Stanley strikes out 17 in Roadrunner win

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LENOX — Interstate 35 senior pitcher Carlyn Stanley was dialed in from the first batter of Wednesday’s season opener against Lenox.

Stanley set the tone to start the game with a strikeout, one of many she recorded on the sunny, but cool night.

The all-state pitcher struck out 17 and Interstate 35’s bats gave Stanley enough support for a 7-0 win in Pride of Iowa Conference play.

Roadrunners veteran coach Tim Bogs could not recall what Stanley’s career high for strikeouts in a game was, but Wednesday’s effort was up there.

“Carlyn threw really well,” Bogs said. “Her ball was moving. It was good for her to get into a rhythm.”

Stanley struck out two batters in the first, second, fourth and fifth innings. She struck out the side in the third, fifth and seventh.

Stanley was almost too effective for Bogs’ liking, particularly with a busy stretch of the schedule upcoming.

“I would like her maybe to not quite throw so many strikeouts. We need a few more ground ball outs, that way she’s not throwing so many strikes,” Bogs said.

When the Roadrunner defense was called on, they did make nice plays, particularly shortstop Slye Richardson. Richardson had a nice play on a ground ball for an out, then caught a popup just in fair territory, looking directly into the sun.

Lenox had only one base hit — a one-out single in the first by Jacy Stoaks. She took second on a passed ball, but was stranded there.

“She (Stanley) is a great pitcher,” said Lenox coach Mandy Stoaks. “She does a very good job.”

Lenox seldom made contact.

“We talked about that with the girls. They just have to go up with confidence they can get a hit,” Stoaks said. “She’s one of the better pitchers we’ll see.”

The Tigers had only one other base runner. Cassidy Nelson walked with one out in the sixth.

Interstate 35 gave Stanley a little early support. Lily Miller walked, stole second and scored on Josie Wickett’s single.

But Lenox pitcher T.J. Stoaks held her own.

“I know it didn’t look overpowering, but she had a decent rise ball and she hit her spots pretty well,” Bogs said. “We got jammed, didn’t get anything off her.”

A minor adjustment at the plate greatly aided the Roadrunners late in the game. The Roadrunners tacked onto the lead with two runs in the fourth. Shai Major doubled and scored on a Slye Richardson groundout. Riley Morris reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second and scored on an error.

“Once we got off the plate, we got some good swings,” Bogs said.

Interstate 35 added a run in the fifth. Carlyn Stanley doubled and scored on Kate Stanley’s groundout.

The Roadrunners put the game further out of reach in the seventh when Major doubled and scored on Richardson’s groundout. A Morris base hit plated Richardson.

UP NEXT — Interstate 35 (1-0, 1-0) hosts Central Decatur tonight (Thursday) in Pride of Iowa Conference play.

Lenox (1-1, 0-1) hosts Nodaway Valley tonight (Thursday) in Pride of Iowa Conference play.