NEW PARIS — Five in a row.
That’s the winning streak National Trail’s softball team is on after picking up two wins earlier this week.
The Blazers (10-4) got a solid pitching performance from junior Payten Laird against Miami East on Tuesday, April 19.
Laird, who struck out seven, tossed a four-hit shutout as Trail improved to 4-3 in the Cross County Conference with a 3-0 win.
The game was scoreless until the Blazers finally broke through in the fifth inning.
Ariel Lee walked and stole a base, Laird hit a double up the middle, and then Kylee Aldridge hit a triple to the opposite field, scoring Lee and Laird. Aldridge then scored on a passed ball for the only runs of the game.
Laird finished 2-for-3, while Savannah Abner added a double and Kerestin Nugent collected a hit.
Trail opened the week with a five-inning, 18-0, win over Dayton Christian on Monday.
Freshman pitcher Elizabeth Glander took a no-hitter into the top of fifth inning, before finally allowing a hit.
Glander struck out nine and only allowed the one hit.
The Blazers scored in each of their four at bats. They scored six in the first, two in the second, three in the third and closed out the game with seven in the fourth.
Laird went 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Aldridge was 2-for-2 with a triple, HR and three RBI. Alexus Acton went 3-for-4 with a double, triple and three RBIs. Bobbi Grimes went 2-for-2 with a triple. Hannah Dixon went 2-for-2. Kayleigh Minner and Abner each added doubles. Aleah Hunt added a triple, while Makayla Duffie, Kim Dennull, and Lee all added base hits.
Trail is scheduled to travel to Preble Shawnee on Saturday for a doubleheader. The first game is scheduled to start at 11 a.m.
The Blazers are scheduled to visit Tri-County North on Tuesday, April 26, and host Twin Valley South on Wednesday.
