BOWLING GREEN, Mo.–The Silex Lady Owls defeated the Bowling Green Lady ‘Cats 3-2 on Tuesday night. The conference foes battled until the final out, making for a well-played and competitive seven-inning match.

Karlie Ellis got things started in the third inning for the Lady Owls, as she reached base safely on a single to left-field. Tayah Williams kept the rally going for Silex as she reached first base on an error by Bowling Green’s Meredyth Betts. With two outs and runners at first and second base, Abagail Mooney punched a double to the right-centerfield gap, driving in one run. The Lady Owls didn’t stop there, Tori Mudd picked up a single to right field driving in two more runs.

Bowling Green was quick to respond to the three-run deficit and struck back in the home half of the third inning. Senior Aleece Walker reached on an error after she hit a sharp groundball to Mooney. Avery Gamm came through for Bowling Green, driving in Walker on a deep fly ball to left field. The Lady ‘Cats stranded Gamm at second base but established some momentum after cutting the Silex lead to only two runs.

Down 3-1 with one out in the seventh inning, Bowling Green’s Grace Deters hit a ball to the right-field corner and raced around the bases. Her hustle paid off and Deters notched one run on the board with an inside-the-park home run. Tanner Turner reached base on a flyball to center field, extending the seventh inning. Bowling Green looked to their clean-up hitter, Sydney Charlton to tie it up with two outs. Charlton was a strike-out victim, and the Lady ‘Cats stranded the tieing run at third base.

Silex Lady Owls ace Taylor Howard picked up the big EMO Conference win from the rubber. Howard struck out ten and allowed two runs on four hits in her performance.

Megan Graver took the loss for Bowling Green. Graver allowed three runs, none of which were earned, and three hits. The sophomore picked up 12 strikeouts and allowed zero walks.

Silex is set to host Clopton on Thursday night with first pitch set for 5:00 p.m. Bowling Green will host Van-Far on Thursday night, first pitch is set for 5:00 p.m. Find coverage of area high school sports by staying tuned to 102.1FM, by listening to Eagle 102 through the KJFM Radio app, online at kjfmradio.com, or on Alexa.

In the featured image, Tori Mudd connects with a pitch from Bowling Green’s Megan Graver. Above, Sara Grateke and Taylor Howard high five after a big defensive play.