<p>Edinburgh softball coach Stephen Clark was concerned the Lancers might not be prepared for Monday’s Class A sectional opener against Waldron.</p>
<p>He needn’t have worried.</p>
<p>Tournament-host Edinburgh was solid in all phases and cruised to a 16-0 win in five innings.</p>
<p>Sophomore pitcher Maddie Clark threw a one-hitter and struck out 12, her best performance since throwing a perfect game against Southwestern (Shelby) earlier this season.</p>
<p>“They kept their focus,” Clark said. “We have come out flat a few times this year, but (tonight) we came out with some energy and did a great a job.”</p>
<p>Edinburgh opened up with four runs in the first inning and never was threatened.</p>
<p>The Lancers tallied nine runs on six hits in the second inning. The Warriors committed three errors in the second.</p>
<p>Edinburgh added three more runs in the third to essentially secure the win.</p>
<p>Clark, meanwhile, was rolling along, easily dispatching Waldron batters.</p>
<p>Clark missed out on a no-hitter and a possible second perfect game when Waldron pitcher Kearston Whitten doubled into right-center field.</p>
<p>Other than that, no Waldron batter hit the ball out of the infield against Clark.</p>
<p>Clark did the job with the bat, too, hitting a triple and knocking in two runs. Sidney Beier had a double, the only extra-base hits for Edinburgh.</p>
<p>In total, the Lancers had 15 hits, including 13 singles.</p>
<p>Beier also had three RBIs, while Bailey Woodall led the Lancers with four RBIs.</p>
<p>“They can hit the ball,” Clark said. “We had some good hits.”</p>
<p>Edinburgh plays Greenwood Christian tonight in a 7:30 p.m. semifinal.</p>
<p>Edinburgh and Greenwood Christian did not play in the regular season. Clark said he knows nothing about the Cougars but expects them to ready to play.</p>
<p>He’s confident the Lancers will be, too.</p>
<p>“I hope so,” Clark said. “Whoever comes out to play is going to win, and I hope it’s us.”</p>
