Lady Lions drop 3rd straight game
Lead Summary
By
The Highland County Press-
The Fairfield Lady Lions continued to struggle to score runs Wednesday as they were shutout by the visiting Blanchester Lady Wildcats, 4-0 in a non-conference game.
Fairfield pitcher Arica Melson and the Lady Lion defense kept themselves in the game, giving up a single run in the fourth inning, before allowing three runs in the top of the seventh inning.
The Lady Lion defense made some solid plays in the field and turned two double plays to get out of innings, and Melson showed her toughness in the circle as she was hit by line drives in the upper leg twice. Both times, she was able to shake it off and refused to leave the circle.
But the Lady Lion offense struggled to score runs for the second consecutive day.
FHS (9-8, 6-3 SHAC) threatened to score in the bottom of the first inning as Shelby Smithson was safe on an infield error, and Halie Chain singled just inside the bag at third base. Courtney Huff singled to right field in the third inning but would be left on base.
The Lady Wildcats (10-7, 6-2 SBAC) took the lead in the top of the fourth inning by one run on three singles.
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FHS looked to even the score with a rally in the bottom of the fifth inning. Cynnamon Sova-Davy led off the inning with a single to left centerfield but was thrown out on an attempted steal of second base. Shaylee Carson followed with a bunt single. Kaitlin Evans also had a bunt single to advance Carson to second base, and Grace Larrick laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Carson to third base and Evans to second base. The inning would end on a fly ball to right field.
The Lady Lions put a runner in scoring position in the top of the sixth inning as Smithson doubled to the gap in right-centerfield to lead off the inning, but the Lady Lion offense failed to get the timely hit.
BHS increased their lead to 4-0 with three runs in the top of the seventh inning on four hits, all doubles.
Evans singled in the bottom of the seventh inning but would be the seventh and final Lady Lion base runner to be left on base.
Evans finished 2-for-3 while Huff, Smithson, Chain, Sova-Davy (1-for-3) and Carson each had one hit.
Melson (9-5) suffered the loss for Fairfield, striking out four. Morrow picked up the win for Blanchester. She pitched seven innings, allowing no runs on seven hits and zero walks, with five strikeouts.
FHS returns to Southern Hills Athletic Conference play Thursday as they travel to Manchester.
Fairfield pitcher Arica Melson and the Lady Lion defense kept themselves in the game, giving up a single run in the fourth inning, before allowing three runs in the top of the seventh inning.
The Lady Lion defense made some solid plays in the field and turned two double plays to get out of innings, and Melson showed her toughness in the circle as she was hit by line drives in the upper leg twice. Both times, she was able to shake it off and refused to leave the circle.
But the Lady Lion offense struggled to score runs for the second consecutive day.
FHS (9-8, 6-3 SHAC) threatened to score in the bottom of the first inning as Shelby Smithson was safe on an infield error, and Halie Chain singled just inside the bag at third base. Courtney Huff singled to right field in the third inning but would be left on base.
The Lady Wildcats (10-7, 6-2 SBAC) took the lead in the top of the fourth inning by one run on three singles.
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FHS looked to even the score with a rally in the bottom of the fifth inning. Cynnamon Sova-Davy led off the inning with a single to left centerfield but was thrown out on an attempted steal of second base. Shaylee Carson followed with a bunt single. Kaitlin Evans also had a bunt single to advance Carson to second base, and Grace Larrick laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Carson to third base and Evans to second base. The inning would end on a fly ball to right field.
The Lady Lions put a runner in scoring position in the top of the sixth inning as Smithson doubled to the gap in right-centerfield to lead off the inning, but the Lady Lion offense failed to get the timely hit.
BHS increased their lead to 4-0 with three runs in the top of the seventh inning on four hits, all doubles.
Evans singled in the bottom of the seventh inning but would be the seventh and final Lady Lion base runner to be left on base.
Evans finished 2-for-3 while Huff, Smithson, Chain, Sova-Davy (1-for-3) and Carson each had one hit.
Melson (9-5) suffered the loss for Fairfield, striking out four. Morrow picked up the win for Blanchester. She pitched seven innings, allowing no runs on seven hits and zero walks, with five strikeouts.
FHS returns to Southern Hills Athletic Conference play Thursday as they travel to Manchester.