BY BRIAN GOSSET
X – @gosset41
X – @gmsportsmedia1
AUBREY – Senior pitcher Mya Cherry had struck out 15 batters in game three times in her career before Tuesday night. Against a tough competitor and undefeated Krum, the Texas Woman’s University signee had no problem setting a new record.
Cherry, who signed with TWU in the fall, sent down 16 Bobcats – setting a new single game program record as the Chaparrals shut out the Bobcats 2-0 in their District 10-4A showdown.
Aubrey came into the week #2 in the GM Sports DFW 4A rankings while Krum was #1.
Krum was also #1 in the state – Aubrey at #8 – during the most recent rankings by the TGCA.
The Chaparrals improve to 16-2 overall and 3-0 in district play while the Bobcats drop to 13-1 and 2-1.
Cherry only allowed two hits, an infield single and a high pop fly that dropped in shallow center field. She also allowed one walk. Meanwhile, her counterpart, Addison Martindale, allowed just three hits and struck out eight. The two runs she gave up were both unearned after a throwing error in the second inning.
Both pitchers allowed a lead-off walk in the first.
Cherry followed hers with three straight strikeouts. Martindale picked up a pair. Martindale would then beat out a throw for an infield single in the second, but Cherry picked up three more strikeouts to go up to six on the night.
Aubrey was facing two outs in the bottom of the second when head coach James Ramsey turned to the small ball. With a runner on, Claire Rose got down a bunt single and Sophia Place did the same one batter later. On Place’s attempt, the throw was low and got past both the first baseman and right fielder that was covering the play.
Both runners scored and Place advanced to third, giving Aubrey a 2-0 lead.
Cherry left a runner on second in the fourth while increasing her total to 10 strikeouts. She added two more in both the fifth and sixth innings to reach 14. Martindale had a 10-pitch inning in the fifth to keep the Bobcats in striking distance.
But Cherry would open the top of the seventh with back-to-back strikeouts to go to 15 and 16 – setting the record and got Martindale to fly out to center to close out the game.
