Neosho softball roughs up defenseless Nevada

Nevada's Mallori Adams tries to avoid being tagged out while sliding into third base during Monday's game against Neosho at Bushwhacker Field. Third base was as far as any Nevada runner would get as they were routed by Neosho 11-0.

Will the real Nevada Lady Tigers please stand up?

Not quite one week after putting together a defensive gem that kept them in a scoreless game with McDonald County for 10 innings, the Lady Tigers imploded in the field as they were routed by Neosho Monday, 11-0 in five innings.

Nevada committed six errors leading to four unearned runs in the contest.

Nevada gave Neosho a run in the top of the first when starting pitcher Heather Klingaman (1-2) walked a batter, advanced her to second on a wild pitch, and with two out gave up a single to center. Center fielder Afton Baldwin came up and threw a strike to catcher Tiffany Cartwright in plenty of time to get the runner at home, but Cartwright could not hold onto the ball when the Neosho runner slid, giving the Lady Wildcats the lead.

In the second inning Baldwin dropped a fly ball in center, putting the leadoff runner on. After a walk, Cartwright tried to throw to third on a stolen base attempt, but the throw sailed into left field and another run scored to put Nevada down 2-0.

In the fourth inning things really came unraveled as Neosho (3-0 overall, 1-0 in the Southwest Conference) took advantage of two more Nevada errors to score five runs (only two of them earned) to put the game out of reach.

Neosho would score four more in the fifth inning to invoke the 10-run rule.

In the circle Neosho got a very good performance from starter Ashley Bussey. Bussey allowed only four hits in five innings, striking out three and walking none.

After giving up an infield single to Katelyn Brier leading off the first, Bussey retired nine consecutive Nevada (2-2. 1-2) batters.

The string was finally broken when Erica Klinksick hit an infield single to begin the fourth inning.

The only other two hits for Nevada came with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning when Mallori Adams and Brittany Pettibon hit back-to-back singles.

Brier looked to keep the rally going but lined out to the pitcher to end the game.

Nevada head coach Brandi Thomsen was almost at a loss for words after the game.

"They didn't (show up)," Thomsen said. "I was trying to figure out what the deal was. They're embarrassed and rightfully so."

Thomsen chalked up the inconsistency in her team's play to a lack of confidence.

"They weren't the team they were last week," Thomsen said. "I still think they're having trouble believing in themselves, that they can do it."

Thomsen kept the varsity squad in a team meeting after the game a little longer than normal. She said there wasn't any yelling involved.

"I think there's a time to scream at them and boy, I want to. But it's not going to make a difference. They've got to find it within themselves," she said.

"It's just frustrating all the way around."

Thomsen said the players all wanted to put the loss behind them and focus on getting ready for a road game at Lamar Thursday.

"They decided that it was one game, it's done, and tomorrow they start anew. I'm expecting that to be the case," Thomsen said.

Brier came in and pitched the fifth inning, giving up three walks and two hits, including an RBI double and two-run single.

Both teams had a case of the drops. All three Nevada outfielders dropped routine fly balls and Neosho also dropped two balls that should have been caught.

While Baldwin had one of the team's errors on a dropped fly, she also made a couple of strong throws from the outfield and made a diving catch on a sinking line drive to end the fourth inning.

Monday's home game was the last for Nevada until Sept. 15. Nevada will have a four-game road swing, not including a trip to Clinton where Nevada will play in the Clinton Invitational tournament Sept. 10.

Nevada will make stops in Lamar, El Dorado Springs, McDonald County and Neosho during their road streak.

Brier and Pettibon both got hits using their newly implemented slap-hitting style where the batter takes two steps toward the mound while trying to slap the ball and using their momentum to beat out an infield hit if necessary. Both players have been using the style this season, and have shown improvement with each game.