MORAN — For a high school freshman, your birthday is one of the highlights of the year.
You can invite your friends to come celebrate. You get to pick whatever you want to do to have fun. Plus there is generally some kind of cake involved.
When cupcakes were brought to the Marmaton Valley dugout in Moran following its 7-3 and 9-8 victories over Lebo on Thursday, freshman pitcher Karlie Stephens’ birthday added the only element it had been missing for a full-bore party.
Stephens and her friends and teammates spent the afternoon enjoying themselves by beating Lebo twice and improving their undefeated record to 4-0.
“I’m very happy,” Stephens said. “I was really nervous because I didn’t know what to expect, so I just came in and tried to do my best.”
Of course, it’s only right that the birthday girl took center stage. Stephens pitched complete games to earn both wins. It marked the first time in her high school career she’s pitched two games on the same day.
“I’m starting to feel a little more comfortable,” Stephens said. “It is nerve-wracking playing with the older people as I try to learn more.”
Stephens notched nine strikeouts in each game.
“There was one girl that could hit pretty well so had had to throw some change-ups and inside (pitches).” Stephens said. “I had to work on the positioning. I work every day on my change-ups because that helps with people that can hit really well.”
According to coach Kaylan Colgin, seeing Stephens in the pitcher’s circle for both games of doubleheaders will be a common occurrence in future Wildcat games.
Allowing Stephens to throw in consecutive games improves the Wildcat defense around the diamond as well, as speedy, strong-armed senior Ashlynn Pinkerton is allowed to man center field on a full-time basis.
“They really helped in the outfield,” Stephens said. “Our hitting was really good today.”
Pinkerton and junior first baseman Kyla Drake each doubled in the Wildcats’ game one win.
Lebo jumped on Marmaton Valley and Stephens in the top of the first inning.
Marmaton Valley answered back by showing some patience of its own and posted a three-run second inning — on one hit, a Shailee Woods single. Drake, Makayla Brooks and Clara Boyd all drew walks as part of the rally.
Lebo came back to tie the game with a run in the third and another in the fourth, but a four-run fifth inning put the Wildcats in control.
