Young breaks home run record in doubleheader sweep

Needing just 24 games, Cowley College freshman Kashilia Young (pictured) broke Lacey Pendry’s school-record for home runs in a season as she hit her 15th home run in a doubleheader sweep at Highland on Tuesday.

“Kashilia is an amazing hitter,” Cowley head coach Ed Hargrove said. “When we play somebody people already know who Kashilia Young is even though she’s just a freshman.”

Cowley jumped out to leads of 3-0 in both games before Highland rallied to tie the score at 3-3. However, Cowley regrouped to pull out wins of 7-3 and 9-3. The Lady Tigers are now 20-4 overall and 6-0 in the Jayhawk East. Highland falls to 10-7 overall and 1-3 in the conference. Cowley is tied with Allen County for first place in the Jayhawk East, while Johnson County is currently 4-0.

Cowley hit five home runs in the doubleheader and has hit 32 home runs as a team on the season. Danielle Saylor-Perkins and Sara Smith homered in the first game, while Kim Noble hit two home runs in the nightcap. Noble, who had three hits in game two, has nine RBI’s in 17 at bats since returning to the Lady Tiger lineup.

“Kim has really worked hard to get back to this spot, so I really feel good for her,” Hargrove said.

Heather Davis allowed four hits and two earned runs in the first game as she out-dueled Oxford native Kelsey Graham. Davis struck out 11 while improving to 12-1 on the season.

Saylor-Perkins’ home run in the first game gave Cowley a 4-3 lead in the sixth inning. The Lady Tigers would add three more runs in the seventh. Jacey Juden went 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored in the victory.

In game two, Juden picked up the win as she scattered 11 hits in seven innings. Juden improves to 8-3 on the season as she struck out five and walked none.

Breayle Tackett led Cowley’s 13-hit attack by going 3-for-3 with a double and two RBI’s.

The Lady Tigers will host a non-conference doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. when they take on the Kansas State University club team.