Burlington Central 11, Hampshire 0

All the elements were in place for Burlington Central's third consecutive no-hitter Monday afternoon: Bright sunshine, warm temperatures and Mackenzie Scott in the circle with an 11-run lead and the wind blowing in.

But in the Big Northern East showdown, there was an element that the Rockets didn't see coming.

With just three outs remaining, Hampshire's Kelsey Watson laid down the perfect bunt, which trickled down the first-base line.

Without a play, Burlington (14-1, 4-0) watched its no-hit chances evaporate as Watson reached safely for Hampshire's only hit. It didn't detour Scott, as she struck out the last 3 batters in the Rockets' 11-0 win over Hampshire in five innings.

Scott was nearly as good as she was Saturday when she pitched her third no-hitter of the season. She had confused Hampshire's hitters all day long.

"Mackenzie kept on progressively moving outside, she started outside and she'd go off the plate and we couldn't lay off," Whip-Purs coach Ken Bram said. "She's a tough pitcher; she's been good all year."

"I knew when I was warming up I knew I had my snap going today," said Scott, who retired 8 batters in a row in one stretch and struck out 13, improving her record to 7-1.

"She came out in a good rhythm, got herself ready. She just went out there and took care of business, like she's able to." Rockets coach Scot Sutherland said.

After giving up her only walk in the fourth, Scott ended the inning strong by striking out the side. Her teammates only added more headache for the Whip-Purs (12-4, 2-2), putting together a 9-run fourth, which included three 2-run hits, singles from Samantha Gruner, (2-for-2, 2 RBI) and Brooke Porto (2-for-3, 2 RBI) and a double from Erica Maisto.

The Rockets batted around in the fourth, and what was a 2-run lead changed to 11.

"I'd just like to see that start a little bit earlier in the game. Sometimes it takes a time or two before things get going. Hitting is contagious," said Sutherland.

"It's contagious. Once you see your teammates up there, you want to add to the fun," said Maisto.

Before the 9-run fourth, 7 of which were unearned because of 3 Hampshire errors, Teagan Singleton was working on her own gem. She dueled with Scott through two innings, only allowing 2 hits and striking out two until Lindsay Lange's 2-run double put the Rockets ahead.