The pace of Thursday’s Parks and Recreation Rookie Softball League match-up between the Blue Stars and Hurricanes could be summed up in one half-inning

With no outs in the bottom of the fourth, the Blue Stars threatened with Naomi Dale on second and Annie Grammer on first. But a Carli Stellwagon grounder up the middle allowed the Hurricanes to turn a double play when both Dale and Grammer wound up standing on second along with a Hurricane defender who was holding the ball.

Just two batters later, more craziness ensued. Stellwagon, who had moved up to second, dashed toward third base on a Cori Thompson single. Although the Hurricanes third baseman was holding the ball just feet away when she reached third, Thompson didn’t hesitate to continue home. The defense, taken by surprise, didn’t react in time to catch Thompson as she scored the Blue Stars’ fourth and final run of the inning.

Despite the eventful, run-filled inning for the Blue Stars, the Hurricanes strung together too many big innings of their own and went on to win 24-12 at Youth Sports Inc.

“We’ve got some girls that are really just good athletes,” Hurricanes coach Bill Alt said.

The Hurricanes made it known from the start that the game would be anything but a low-scoring affair. The ‘Canes sent nine batters to the plate in the first inning and scored the maximum five runs thanks in part to four straight base hits. A double by Tiona Lenhardt drove in the final two runs of the inning.

The Blue Stars were unable to match the Hurricanes’ hot start. The Stars had two hits in their half of the first, but were unable to score before recording three outs.

“We just preach to the girls teamwork and backing up the plays out there,” Alt said. “That’s what keeps a lot of runs from coming in.”

After the Hurricanes’ leadoff was retired, the next seven ‘Cane batters accounted for four more runs. But with two outs and a runner on, the Stars were able to record a fielder’s choice at second base to end the inning before the ‘Canes could score a fifth run. It would be the only inning the Hurricanes failed to reach the five-run limit.

In the bottom of the second, the Stars’ bats finally got rolling, putting them back in contention. Three straight singles to start the inning loaded the bases. The fourth batter recorded the first out of the inning, but it would also be the last as the next four hitters knocked base hits to drive in five runs. The biggest hit of the inning came from Alexia Anglin who brought Alexis Jenkins and Kenna Hastings home.

The ‘Canes needed just 14 batters to score 10 runs in the third and fourth innings combined, and eight batters in the final inning to increase their run total to 24.

Alt’s daughter, Emily, had three hits in the game and said her success was due to the extra work she put in during her spare time.

“I practice with my dad and sometimes with my friends,” Emily said.

The Stars were able to load the bases in the third inning, but the Hurricanes surrendered only one run. The hectic four-run fourth gave the Stars double-digits for the game, but they still trailed 19-10. The first of the Stars’ two runs in the fifth inning came in exciting fashion. Hastings came to the plate with one out and no one on base, so she decided to drive herself in with a solo home run.

After the game, the Hurricane players seemed more eager for their next practice than their next game.

“We do a sportsmanship award the first practice after each game,” Alt said. “So the girls are all excited to see who gets the sportsmanship award.”