It was a historic night for Thea Staten, who recorded her 1,000th career strikeout while leading the Bryan Golden Bears to an 8-0 victory over Liberty-Benton.
Staten was electric in the circle, striking out 16 batters over six innings while allowing just one hit and no runs.
Bryan wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning. Staten helped her own cause with a single to left field, and Mylie Vollmer added a sacrifice fly, each driving in a run to give the Golden Bears an early 2-0 lead.
The offense broke things open in the third inning. Averyann Fisher tripled down the right field line, Vollmer drew a walk, Karli McDade singled down the right field line—each contributing to a four-run inning that extended the lead.
Fisher, Amiyah Langham, and Staten each collected two hits to pace the offense. Fisher, Langham, and McDade each drove in a run. Reese Ruffer showed great discipline at the plate with a team-high three walks, as Bryan totaled eight walks overall.
The Golden Bears were aggressive on the base paths, racking up six stolen bases. Langham and Fisher each swiped two bags, while Ana McCoy and Ruffer added one apiece.
The Bears will be face Archbold at home on Thursday.