Mallory McMahon just wants to keep earning her keep.
She certainly achieved that end Wednesday.
The sophomore outfielder went 2-for-3 with four RBIs as Crown Point earned a 7-0 Duneland Athletic Conference win against visiting LaPorte.
She had two-run singles in the fourth and sixth innings as the Bulldogs (6-0, 4-0), ranked No. 2 in Class 4A, broke open the matchup with No. 9 LaPorte (6-1, 3-1) that featured aces Alexis Holloway and Reily Galloway.
McMahon was Crown Point’s JV center fielder last season before earning a call-up for sectionals. She has started to establish herself this season as the Bulldogs’ center fielder and a middle-of-the-order hitter.
“I knew my spot wasn’t set and I had to do some big things to set myself in stone,” McMahon said.
“It feels good to step up and fill the shoes I need to fill. A lot of really good girls graduated last year, we lost a lot and I needed to get in there and try to make it feel like we didn’t lose anything.”
Crown Point coach Pete Iussig initially viewed McMahon as a contender for a corner outfield spot. But she made two nifty plays in center against Hobart two weeks ago, catching his attention.
“She just floated back twice,” Iussig said. “In the cage, she clobbers the ball. When somebody does that, you give them a chance in the game. She’s been hitting ever since. I’m very pleased.”
Western Michigan recruit Galloway (5-1) retired the first nine batters before Northwestern recruit MacKenzie Dunlap led off the fourth with a double. After Dunlap’s stolen base, Caitlyn Phillips’ infield hit gave the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. McMahon added a two-run single.
“I felt the adrenaline,” McMahon said. “Having the team count on me, it’s a good feeling when you do come through. It’s nerve-racking, but knowing you can do it, it feels good.”
Phillips, who went 2-for-3 with two runs, singled to lead off the sixth. McMahon’s two-run single highlighted the inning as the Bulldogs batted around.
Dunlap’s double to start the fourth was key, according to Iussig.
“It just swung momentum,” he said. “It got us going a little bit.
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“I was really surprised we scored seven on Galloway. She’s one of the top pitchers in the state. I figured it would be a 1-0, 2-1 game, something like that.”
Notre Dame recruit Holloway (5-0) felt “a little bit off.” But after the Slicers had runners on first and second with one out in the third, she got out of that inning to initiate a of stretch of setting down the final 14 batters.
LaPorte had outscored opponents 65-1 in its first six games.
“You can’t squander opportunities and you can’t give them opportunities, that’s for sure,” Slicers coach Bob Severs said. “Coach Iussig came over after the game and said we’re a lot better than the score indicates. But nonetheless, the score is the indicator.
“You have to give them credit. They got the bat out there and put the ball in play. That’s what we’re preaching too and they got it done — kudos to them.”
Holloway allowed three hits and Galloway gave up six earned runs on nine hits. Both pitchers had 10 strikeouts and no walks.
“LaPorte’s always very good and Galloway is a fantastic pitcher,” Holloway said. “I love throwing against her because she challenges me and challenges our girls. It just makes us better.”
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