East Alabama Local News

East Alabama Local News

 

Opelika Sophomore Hurler McKay Yountz Strikes Out 21 in Softball Victory

Opelika High School sophomore pitcher McKay Yountz struck out 21 batters last night in a 7-inning game to lead the Bulldogs (2-0) to a 7-0 victory over Reeltown. She allowed just one hit, walked three, hit one batter, another reached on an error. She struck out four batters in fifth inning with one player reaching base on dropped third strike.

   The AHSAA state record for a seven-inning game is 22, set in 2009 by Eufaula pitcher India Kornegay in a win over G.W. Long. Kornegay also holds the record for most strikeouts in game, whiffing 36 in a 15-inning 2-0 win over Faith Academy in the South Regional in 2009.

Yountz, who struck out seven in a row twice and six in a row to close the game, got all the run support she would need in the first inning when Opelika scored four runs without the benefit of hit. Coach Randy Belyeu’s Bulldogs drew five walks, had two batters hit by a pitch.

KD Lee added Opelika with a lead-off triple in the third inning as the Bulldogs collected four of its five hits to score two more runs. Leadoff hitter Nylen Thomas had a single, two walks, two stolen bases and scored three runs.

   The 2021 AHSAA softball season officially opened on Feb. 11.


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