Everything has been working for Durant, the only undefeated team in Class 6A-District 5, thus far in 2020.
Though the Durant Cougars have yet to face a team with a winning overall record, they’re playing like a real threat to win the district title and make the cut for regionals.
After Tuesday night’s 7-0 at Strawberry Crest, Durant has a 4-0 record and a full head of steam going for it as district play heats up. On Tuesday, Durant had five batters drive in runs (Kenzi Marsh, Shyanne Wood and Kelly Swank each got two hits) and pitcher Kayla Swinson gave up just two hits and one walk while striking out nine Chargers.
The win came just a few days after the Cougars hosted Plant City and picked up a 16-0 win in four innings with 17 hits (.604 team average), five home runs and five stolen bases. Though most of the offense played very well against the Raiders, it was an especially good night for Shelby Allen and Emily Smith. Both Cougars got a hit in each of their at-bats. Allen went 4-for-4 with four runs scored and three stolen bases. Smith went 3-for-3 with three runs scored, five RBI and two home runs. Five other Cougars batted over .500 that night. That’s including a three-hit, six-RBI performance and the game-ending two-RBI double from Kelly Swank, plus freshman Peyton Haxton’s two solo home runs in three at-bats.
Durant is getting solid contribution across the board: six Cougars are batting at or above .300 with eight or more plate appearances through four games, the team has a .372 average with a .427 on base percentage and have now sent eight pitches over the fence for home runs. The defense has also been excellent with just three runs allowed — which makes Durant the only team left in the district to have given up fewer than 10 runs on the season. Swinson’s steady presence on the mound (29 batters struck out versus four walked) has tied everything together.
The Cougars will host Bloomingdale at 7 p.m. tonight before hitting the road for their next three games.
