The Eufaula Lady Ironheads started off the season with an impressive 13-5 victory over Keota. Keota came out with a quick start as they scored a pair of runs in the first inning. However, the Lady Ironheads answered the call when Kambry Williams connected on a pitch and Kadie Jo Tidwell smashed a pitch for a double to tie the game at 2-2. Keota took the lead again in the top of the second inning. Emma Lovett singled, scoring a run, and Kate Pippenger hit a triple as the crowd cheered as Eufaula scored two more runs.

Maddie Ballard extended the lead to 6-3 in the bottom of the third inning.

Eufaula opened the floodgates, scoring six runs on five hits in the bottom of the fourth inning. Avery Williams doubled, scoring a run, Tidwell doubled, scoring a run, Rayleigh Peterson singled, scoring a run and Keota had an error that scored a run. Makayla Harjo earned the win from the pitcher’s circle. She gave up five hits and four runs over three innings, striking out two and walking two. Elaina Monroe appeared in relief for Harjo.

Eufaula tallied 15 hits in the game. Pippenger led Eufaula going 3-for-4, Kambry Willimas was 2-for-3 and Gabby Noriega, Tidwell and Ballard each collected multiple hits.

“I was overall happy with the way we hit as a team, especially being game 1. Defensively we were a little shaky at times and we’ll get a little better at that because it’s definitely something we like to hang our hat on,” Eufaula head coach Ryan Green said.