A home run by Billeigh Hankins in the second inning helped set the tone as the Batesville varsity softball team defeated the South Ripley Lady Raiders 25-8.

The Lady Bulldogs improved to 6-2 on the year with their sixth straight victory.

Batesville pounded 19 hits in the five inning game.

The game began with Amy Wuestefeld leading off with a single followed by a Julie Meyer double. Two more singles by Ashley Wuestefeld and Jenny Meyer helped to plate six first inning runs.

Batesville scored 12 more runs in the second inning highlighted by the Hankins long ball.

The Lady Raiders scored twice in the second inning off Batesville pitcher Madison Lamppert, but the deficit was too great to make much of a difference.

Batesville added two more runs in the third inning and five in the fourth.

South Ripley crossed the plate five times in the fifth inning, but it was not enough to extend the game past five innings.

"I was glad to see Billeigh Hankins swing the bat the way she did,” BHS head coach Dave Butt commented. “I hope this helps her confidence.”

Hankins finished the game with three hits, two runs scored and four RBI.

Julie Meyer, Ashley Wuestefeld and Lamppert each had three hits followed by Jenny Meyer with two. Lamppert led the team with five runs scored, while Jenny Meyer joined Hankins with four RBI.

“It was a long week for us playing four games on the road in five days,” Butt commented. “I hope the successful week they had made their weekend a bit more enjoyable.”

Lamppert improved to 3-0 on the season. She pitched five innings, gave up three hits and recorded three strikeouts.