UNION CITY – The Versailles Lady Tigers overcame an early two-run deficit and pulled away for an 11-5 win over the Mississinawa Valley Lady Blackhawks in a Tuesday night non-conference softball matchup.
Mississinawa Valley came out sharp and struck first in the bottom of the opening inning. Cora Hoggatt led off with a double to center field, Ella Godfrey reached after being hit by a pitch, and followed with a Gentry Neubaur double to plate two runs and give the Lady Blackhawks a 2-0 lead.
Versailles answered in the top of the second to even the score. Kayla Jay opened the inning with a walk, and Madison Yagle followed with a single. An RBI groundout by Baylee Roll scored one run, and Leba Mead delivered a run-scoring single to tie the game at 2-2.
The Lady Blackhawks regained the lead in the bottom of the third. Godfrey singled and later scored when Makenna Hoggatt came through with a two-out single, putting Mississinawa Valley back in front 3-2.
Versailles responded with its biggest swing of the game at the top of the fourth. Evelyn Miller delivered a single that drove in two runs, and she later came home after tagging up to give the Lady Tigers a 5-3 advantage.
From there, Versailles continued to apply pressure at the plate, finishing with 14 hits, seven walks, four stolen bases, and two double plays while playing error-free defense.
“We have seen an improvement from last year to this year,” said Versailles coach Tatyana Cotrell. “We did change a couple of our infielders to outfielders. Kayla Jay came into the infield. It’s a lot better than last year, and I hope it continues into the season.”
Cotrell said her team’s offseason work and recent momentum helped produce Tuesday’s result.
“After our 2025 season, I knew we had to get to be the best we could be in our offseason, and the beginning of this season,” Cotrell said. “We definitely took the momentum we had Saturday into this game, which helped a lot, and hopefully it brings us into this weekend.”
Cotrell also credited her team for adjusting against one of the area’s better pitchers.
“Godfrey is a great pitcher,” Cotrell noted. “Saturday, we had a pitcher that was close to her, so with that previous experience, it definitely helped us today.”
Versailles hopes the early-season progress carries over into Midwest Athletic Conference play.
“I’m hoping we can do a lot better than we did last year, with only winning one MAC game,” said Cotrell. “I’m hoping we can stack up a lot better, hopefully third or fourth or even second, I’ll take it – we’re always shooting for one though.”
Kayla Jay earned the win for Versailles, allowing 13 hits and five runs over seven innings while striking out five and walking two.
Godfrey took the loss for Mississinawa Valley. The right-hander pitched all seven innings, allowing 11 runs on 14 hits while striking out seven and walking seven.
Mississinawa Valley totaled 13 hits in the game. Godfrey led the way, going 3-for-3 with singles in the third, fifth, and seventh innings. Newbauer provided production in the middle of the lineup, driving in three runs while finishing 2-for-4. Cayde Neukam and Emma Brock each added multiple hits, while Godfrey stole two bases as the Lady Blackhawks finished with five steals.
Versailles spread its offense throughout the lineup. Jay, Miley Stover, Alexis Francis, Jalyn McEldowney, Madison Yagle, and Evelyn Miller each had two hits. Stover, Francis, Ruthie Smith, and Miller each drove in two runs. Jay also drew three walks to help spark the offense.
Mississinawa Valley coach Shane Buckingham said his team continues to battle through adversity.
“We battled,” said Buckingham. “We’re a very beat-up team right now – we’re battling injuries. We’re not very deep, with only 12 girls. We had one girl sick and not here tonight.”
Buckingham said the Lady Blackhawks must clean up mistakes, particularly on the bases.
“We have to get better,” said Buckingham. “We made a lot of young freshman mistakes on the base paths tonight, some older girls too, and I. Give credit to Versailles, they hit the ball hard.”
Even in defeat, Buckingham said he sees progress from his club.
“We’re getting better, that’s what we’re trying to do,” said Buckingham. “We’ll get the wins, they’ll come. We’ll get better, it’s a long season.”
Buckingham also pointed to the development of a young roster as a reason for optimism.
“I like where we’re at,” said Buckingham. “We won 11 games last year; our goal this year is 14. We had two freshmen start tonight, and they haven’t played since fifth or sixth grade. They’re improving, they’re putting the ball in play, and that’s what we want. We’ll get there.”
BOX SCORE:
123 456 7 R H E
020 302 4 11 14 0 VERSAILLES
203 010 1 5 13 1 MISSISSINAWA VALLEY
