Alexia Sprick held Cairo without a hit over the final four innings, but the Lady Bulldogs were unable to come back from an early four-run deficit in a 4-2 loss to the Lady Cats on Tuesday.

After falling behind 4-0, New Franklin got some offense in the third inning when Addy Salmon, Abby Maupin and Sprick had consecutive one-out singles to score a run. Maupin crossed the plate on a sacrifice ground ball from Isabelle Matney.

Carly Dorson had a single to lead off the seventh inning but the Lady Bulldogs were unable to come up with a key hit.

New Franklin had six groundouts over the final three innings. Matney had one of the few hard-hit balls in the sixth inning, but her long fly was caught by the Cairo centerfielder.

Cairo got back-to-back singles in the first inning and put the first run on the scoreboard with a double steal. The Lady Cats would have just two more hits in the game, but took advantage of two errors to add another run in the second.

New Franklin was in position to overcome another error that put the leadoff batter at second base in the third inning. Sprick got a popout and a strikeout, but then a hit batter and walk loaded the bases.  The Lady Cats’ final hit of the day was a 2-run double.

Sprick allowed one earned run on four hits and five walks over seven innings, striking out five.

Dakota Clark caught four balls in centerfield and had a throw to catcher Kayce Hundley for the final out of the sixth inning at home plate.

Maupin went 2-3 at the plate and stole a base to lead New Franklin offensively.

It was the first conference loss of the season for the Lady Bulldogs, who drop to 2-1 in CAC play and 4-4 overall.