Sports

Lady Outlaws declaw Lady Leopards May 5, 2008 - No reporter cited

Dewayne Holloway
Sports Editor

JUNCTION CITY-It took nine innings and two close plays at the plate for the Dierks Lady Outlaws to gain the much needed victory to move on the state tournament.

The Lady Outlaws defeated the Norphlet Lady Leopards 7-6 in the opening round of the 2A South Regional Tournament Saturday, May 3 at Junction City.

Emily Jackson offered a pitching performance that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats with 12 strike-outs while also allowing six walks and giving up six runs on eight hits. Jackson was credited with the win.

Rachel Guinn led the Lady Leopards from the mound with nine strike-outs and six walks while giving up seven runs on six hits for the loss.

The Lady Outlaws had several setbacks in the game with everything from close calls at home plate to struggling from the mound all of which kept the game close, but the Lady Outlaws never gave up and persevered through nine innings of softball to gain the victory.

The Lady Leopards would get things started with a single to left field, but the Lady Outlaws emptied the bases when Whitney Icenhower caught a fly ball and threw the base runner out at first for a double play. The Lady Outlaws were able to get out of the inning without the Lady Leopards scoring.

Sheyanne Muse got things started for the Lady Outlaws by patiently allowing Guinn to pitch her four balls for a free trip to first base. Muse stole second base and was bunted to third by Icenhower.

Muse had an opportunity to score on a wild pitch and looked as if she had, but the home plate umpire called her out for the second out of the game. The Lady Outlaws finished the inning with the score still 0-0.

Jackson found her spot and went on to record three strikeouts to make short work of the Lady Leopards in the second inning.

The Outlaws tried to overcome their disappointing first inning with Reagan Moore reaching base on a pop fly that was dropped in the infield and then Candi Kykendall walked to give the Lady Outlaws two base runners.

Unfortunately the Lady Outlaws were unable to capitalize with Guinn recording a strike-out and Kemi Tate, the Norphlet shortstop, catching a fly ball to end the inning.

In the third inning Jackson started things off strong, but seemed to struggle with her control giving up three runs and four walks while hitting one batter.

Jackson started with a strike-out, but then gave up a double to Kaiytlin Seymour. Jackson then walked Tate before striking out the second batter of the inning.

At this point, Jackson started to lose control when she hit Guinn with a pitch before walking three straight batters scoring three unearned runs before ending the inning with another strike-out.

The Outlaws were unable to answer in the bottom half of the third inning with Guinn facing three batters and striking out two of them.

The Lady Leopards looked to put Dierks away in the fourth inning when they were able to score two more runs to go up 5-0.

Tanesha Lewis led off with a single to left field. Jackson walked the next batter before the Lady Outlaws were able to record two outs.

Lewis was able to score on a wild pitch that rolled into the dugout and then Taylor Rogers dropped a base hit behind the Lady Outlaw left fielder to score the second run of the inning.

The Lady Outlaws were able to regain their composure and score two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to close the gap on the Lady Leopards.

Tara Helms got things started with a double to right field and was followed by Jackson who reached base on a shot to the shortstop.

Both base runners were thrown out at third base for the first two outs of the inning.

Guinn had some control issues of her own and walked the next two Dierks batters that she faced. Beth House took advantage of Guinn’s struggles by driving both girls in to bring the score to 5-2.

Jackson was able to take her success with her bat and carry it to the mound in the fifth inning facing only three batters.

The Lady Outlaws continued to push forward in the bottom half of the fifth inning as Guinn’s struggles continued.

Muse and Icenhower drew walks before Helms was hit by a pitch. Muse was able to score on an error and Icenhower scored on a fielder’s choice. Helms scored the third run of the game on a wild pitch to tie the game.

The Lady Leopards went ahead again in the sixth inning when Seymour led off with a slap hit that she beat out at first base.

Seymour moved herself into scoring position on a wild pitch and then scored on a fielder’s choice.

The Lady Outlaws were unable to answer in the bottom of the sixth, but Jackson had reclaimed her place on the mound.

In the top half of the seventh Jackson struck out all three batters that she faced to put the fate of the Lady Outlaw’s season in the hands of their offense.

Icenhower reached base on a shot to center field and scored off teammate Jackson’s double sending the game into extra innings.

The eighth inning started with Kaitlyn Coston starting on second base for the Lady Leopards. Lewis gave Norphlet a second base runner when Jackson lost control of a pitch and hit her in the leg.

The Lady Leopards were unable to do anything with them stranding both on base.

The Lady Outlaws started with Moore on second base and looked to score, but she was tagged out at home plate to end the inning.

The Lady Leopards had their opportunity in the top of the ninth when Lauren Goodwin started on second base and moved to third on a bunt by Guinn. Goodwin was unable to score when she was caught in a pickle trying to reach home.

The Lady Leopards were unable to score before Jackson ended the inning with her twelfth strike-out of the game.

Beth House started the ninth inning for the Lady Outlaws on second base and advanced to third on a wild pitch. House raced home on a wild pitch and scored the winning run for the Lady Outlaws.

Icenhower led the Lady Outlaws with two hits and two runs while teammate House had one hit and one run with two RBI’s.

The Lady Outlaws will play Parker’s Chapel Monday, April 5 at 3 p.m. at Junction City.

↑ Top