HERMLEIGH — For both teams, it was little more than a dress rehearsal for the upcoming playoffs. But by game’s end, Hermleigh gave the impression that it is again ready to do some damage in the 1A softball bracket after handing a 10-0 mercy rule loss to Class 2A Hawley in Tuesday’s playoff warmup game at Lady Cardinal Field.  

Freshman Peyton Miller tossed a six-inning, three-hit shutout with six strikeouts while Hailey Minton and Brooklyn O’Quinn were both 1-for-2 with a combined three RBIs to lead Hermleigh (17-1), which took advantage of 12 walks, three passed balls, two wild pitches and an error to take control of the game.