Fairfield falls to Eastern Lady Warriors
By
The Highland County Press-
LEESBURG — The Fairfield Lady Lions hosted the Eastern Brown Lady Warriors Friday at Fairfield High School, in Leesburg. The game featured two of the top teams in the Southern Hills League as Fairfield fell to the hot hitting Eastern Lady Warriors 7-3.
The Lady Warriors took the early lead with a run in the first inning and another run in the third inning. EB (12-3, 10-0) scored three more runs in fourth inning to take a commanding 5-0 lead.
But the Lady Lions (8-6, 7-3) didn't go away quietly, scoring runs in the fourth and fifth innings to close the gap to 5-2.
The game featured two very talented pitchers in sophomore Lauren Larrick of Fairfield and freshman Maria Johnson of Eastern.
After falling behind five runs, the Lady Lions scored one run in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Heather Huff reached first base on an error to lead off the inning. Huff then stole second base and scored on a single hit to left-centerfield by Whitney Hanenkrat, who returned to the lineup after suffering a mild concussion against McClain.
The Lady Lions scored another run in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Gabby Boone led off the inning with a double to the fence in right field. Kortney Paris entered the game as a pinch runner for Boone and eventually scored on a ground out by Jade Shelton.
FHS continued to battle, as this was evident on a defensive play in the top of the sixth inning.
With two outs and bases empty, Lady Warrior third baseman Courtney Wiford hit a high fly ball to deep centerfield. Lady Lion centerfielder Danielle Butler raced back to the wall. Butler crashed into the fence, on the dead run, and her momentum carried over the fence. The ball fell off her glove for a home run.
The Lady Lions finished their scoring with a run in the bottom of the seventh inning.
With one out, Boone singled to right-centerfield. Then with two outs Shelton tripled down the left field line and Boone scored from first base.
Leading hitters for the Lady Lions: Boone (2-for-3, double, one run), Hanenkrat (1-for-3, one RBI) and Shelton (1-for-3, triple, two RBIs).
Larrick (8-6) suffered the loss for the Lady Lions and Johnson was the winning pitcher for the Lady Warriors.
Larrick pitched seven innings, allowing seven runs (five earned) on 11 hits and one walk. The sophomore finished with eight strikeouts.
Johnson went seven innings. allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and no walks. Johnson finished with seven strikeouts.
FHS will play at home on Tuesday as they host the Manchester Lady Greyhounds in a SHL game slated to start at 5 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]
The Lady Warriors took the early lead with a run in the first inning and another run in the third inning. EB (12-3, 10-0) scored three more runs in fourth inning to take a commanding 5-0 lead.
But the Lady Lions (8-6, 7-3) didn't go away quietly, scoring runs in the fourth and fifth innings to close the gap to 5-2.
The game featured two very talented pitchers in sophomore Lauren Larrick of Fairfield and freshman Maria Johnson of Eastern.
After falling behind five runs, the Lady Lions scored one run in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Heather Huff reached first base on an error to lead off the inning. Huff then stole second base and scored on a single hit to left-centerfield by Whitney Hanenkrat, who returned to the lineup after suffering a mild concussion against McClain.
The Lady Lions scored another run in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Gabby Boone led off the inning with a double to the fence in right field. Kortney Paris entered the game as a pinch runner for Boone and eventually scored on a ground out by Jade Shelton.
FHS continued to battle, as this was evident on a defensive play in the top of the sixth inning.
With two outs and bases empty, Lady Warrior third baseman Courtney Wiford hit a high fly ball to deep centerfield. Lady Lion centerfielder Danielle Butler raced back to the wall. Butler crashed into the fence, on the dead run, and her momentum carried over the fence. The ball fell off her glove for a home run.
The Lady Lions finished their scoring with a run in the bottom of the seventh inning.
With one out, Boone singled to right-centerfield. Then with two outs Shelton tripled down the left field line and Boone scored from first base.
Leading hitters for the Lady Lions: Boone (2-for-3, double, one run), Hanenkrat (1-for-3, one RBI) and Shelton (1-for-3, triple, two RBIs).
Larrick (8-6) suffered the loss for the Lady Lions and Johnson was the winning pitcher for the Lady Warriors.
Larrick pitched seven innings, allowing seven runs (five earned) on 11 hits and one walk. The sophomore finished with eight strikeouts.
Johnson went seven innings. allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and no walks. Johnson finished with seven strikeouts.
FHS will play at home on Tuesday as they host the Manchester Lady Greyhounds in a SHL game slated to start at 5 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]