Playing through intermittent rain did little to cool the bats of PMDE Construction as they rapped out six hits – four of the extra base variety – and Maddie O’Quinn pitched a three-hit shutout, as PMDE prevailed 12-0 on Monday evening at Billy Garrison Field.

The victory gave PMDE a season sweep of the Mud Dogs and clinched the Carter County American Little League 9-10 year old softball championship for coach Shawn Johnson’s squad.

“This is one of the most fun groups I have been around,” Johnson said. “Maddie is outstanding, and she works really hard at getting better.  I think this may have been her best game of the season. We ran the bases well and we got to bring in some of our seven- and eight-year-old kids for experience.”

PMDE struck for a pair of runs in the top of the first with O’Quinn circling the bases on a base hit and a pair of throwing errors for a quick 1-0 lead. Maggie Rowland walked and swiped both second and third as Mud Dog pitcher Kelcey Wilson struck out both Kinedy Harris and Kadence Presnell.

She scored on a wild pitch with Emma O’Quinn at the dish for a 2-0 lead.

PMDE scored the maximum five runs in the third and fourth innings after Wilson struck out the side in the top of the second to show that this would not be a cakewalk for PMDE.

“I love these girls,” said Mud Dogs manager Darlene Ford. “They gave it their all tonight and played hard. We try hard to teach good sportsmanship first and foremost and they played that way tonight. I’m proud of them all.”

In the third frame, PMDE reached Wilson for a pair of free passes and had RBI base hits from O’Quinn, Presnell and Regan Street to open a 7-0 advantage. Kinley Winters opened with a walk and moved to third quickly on a stolen base and passed ball before scoring on a single from O’Quinn.

One out later, Harris also walked and both she and O’Quinn scored on a double by Presnell, and Emma O’Quinn drew a free pass. She scored on a two base knock from Street to give PMDE some breathing room.

In the fourth, PMDE tallied five more runs with Autumn Sheppard collecting a triple, and after a pair of walks, loaded the bases. O’Quinn unloaded them with a three-run inside the park homer to make it an 11-0 contest. Presnell drove home the final run with her second hit of the game for the final margin of victory.

That left the Mud Dogs needing to score two runs or more to continue playing. Kenlee Blackburn and Wilson both singled to open the fourth, giving the Dogs hope of forcing another inning.

O’Quinn then struck out both Kara Cole and Makayla Rhymer and got Chloe Gamble on a grounder to second for the final out, preserving the shutout.

“Maddie threw strikes and that is what we ask her to do,” Johnson said. “We start and finish every practice with base running drills, and at this level, it is very important. Running the bases is crucial in softball and we have a lot of speed on this team. I am very proud of them – they played hard all season and I am proud of the whole team.”

Boys baseball

Citizen’s Bank 16, SunLoans 5

For Citizen’s Bank, this contest was like a walk in the park —in fact, a lot of them. The Bankers were on the winning side of 12 walks in this one, called in the second inning due to the time limit.

With the win, Citizen’s Bank (12-6) reversed last season’s record and showed a lot of improvement and potential for the future which pleased manager Terry Johnson.

“It was a little rough, but a win is a win,” Johnson said. “From one year to the next, we have shown a lot of improvement and we have some young pitchers that we hope step up next year. We should be good if we get everyone back.”

SunLoans took advantage of Citizen starter Jonathan Banner as he walked six hitters in the first frame while allowing just one hit. That was an RBI hit off the bat of Bradley Cannon as SunLoans took an early 4-0 lead.

Citizen’s scored all 16 runs in the last of the first as SunLoans tried two pitchers who were unable to find the strike zone effectively. In the inning, pool player Gage Green struck a two-run double, Jaiden Anderson clubbed a three-run inside the park home run and Nolan Bradley had a triple.

In the top of the second, Kyler Lewis had a solo inside the park home run to make it a 16-5 game — the final tally of the contest.

Carter Co. American Little League

Girls 9-10 softball championship

PMDE 12-0

PMDE 205 5 – 12 6 0

Mud Dogs 000 0 – 0 3 1

W – M. O’Quinn L – Wilson

HR – M.O’Quinn. 3B – Sheppard. 2B – Presnell, Street.