Engle leads Fairfield softball past Mt. Pleasant

FAIRFIELD — Play at Fairfield Middle School on Thursday lasted for just over an hour before a weather postponement, but that was plenty of time for the 13th-ranked Trojan softball team to pick up a win.

Fairfield pitcher Coty Engle shut the Panthers down in three-straight innings, giving up no hits in the process, and the Trojan offense did just enough to secure a 12-0 victory in Game 1 of what was set to be a Southeast Conference doubleheader.

The opening frame went by scoreless. After Engle quickly got out of the top of the first inning, the Fairfield offense was able to load the bases in the bottom half. Mt. Pleasant starter Ella McNamee worked her way out of the jam, and the game stayed 0-0.

Mt. Pleasant put a runner on base in the top of the second, but Engle kept the Panthers without a run or hit, and the Trojan offense erupted for 12 in their half of the inning.

McNamee was knocked out of the game in the second frame. Madison Helling came in for Mt. Pleasant to get all three outs.

Because of the 12-run rule, Engle just needed one more scoreless inning to end Game 1. She cruised in the bottom half of the inning to polish off a quick win.

Engle struck out seven Panthers while walking just one. She also went 1-for-1 with a double and an RBI at the plate.

Danielle Breen led the Fairfield offense, going 1-for-2 with a double and three RBIs. Jenna Norris was 1-for-4 with two RBIs. Delaney Breen went 1-for-2 with two RBIs and Peyton McCabe knocked one in.

McNamee took the loss in the circle for Mt. Pleasant, giving up eight runs (seven earned). She was the most successful Panther hitter, going 0-for-0 with a walk.

The Trojans had two more wins over the weekend, taking a pair at the Clear Creek-Amana tournament. Results from those games will be in Tuesday’s edition of The Union.