Lady Lions split DH with Paint Valley

For the first time this season, the Fairfield Lady Lions lost a game, splitting a non-conference doubleheader with the Paint Valley Lady Bearcats, winning 7-1 but dropping game two, 5-1.

Fairfield's season-opening winning streak ends at 12 consecutive games (a school record to start a season), as they are 12-1 overall. They are currently 7-0 in the Southern Hills Athletic Conference.

PV moves to 9-5 overall, as they are 3-3 in the Scioto Valley Conference.

In Game 1, the Lady Lions wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, leading 1-0 after the first inning.

Grace Larrick led off the game with a slap bunt single to the left side of the infield, and when the throw to first base was wide, she raced all the way to third base. Larrick scored on a dropped third strike to Kaitlin Evans.

The Lady Bearcats threatened to score in the bottom of the first inning but were held scoreless.

FHS increased their lead to 3-0 with two runs in the top of the third inning.

Kourtnie Smith led off the inning with a walk, and Larrick laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Smith to second base. Evans doubled to right-centerfield to score Smith and moved to third base on the throw to the plate. Shelby Smithson grounded out to score Evans.

PV scored an unearned run, which was their only run, in the bottom of the third inning.

FHS completed the scoring in the top of the fifth inning, as Smith led off the inning with a walk. She then stole second base and advanced to third base on a wild pitch.

One out later, Evans (2-for-4, double, two runs, three RBIs) grounded to the left side of the infield, and Smith slid in safe at home plate just ahead of the tag. Evans advanced to second base on the throw home.

Smithson doubled to the fence in right centerfield to knock in Evans and scored on a base hit to left field by Cynnamon Sova-Davy (2-for-4, one run, one RBI).

The Lady Bearcats rallied to load the bases in the bottom of the sixth inning with one out, but Arica Melson struck out the next two hitters to end the threat and leave the bases loaded.

Again, the Lady Bearcats loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs, and yet again, Melson was up to the challenge, striking out the next batter to end the game and secure the victory.

Melson (9-0) was the winning pitcher for Fairfield. She pitched seven innings, allowing one run (none earned) on five hits and seven walks. She finished with eight strikeouts.

In game two, the leading hitters for the Lady Lions were Larrick (1-for-3, one run), Smith (1-for-2) and Shaylee Carson (1-for-3).

Mikayla Newland (4-2) was the winning pitcher for Paint Valley. Mikayla Coleman (3-1) suffered the loss for Fairfield. Coleman pitched five innings, allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks. She had one strikeout. Melson pitched one inning, allowing no hits, no runs, no earned runs, no walks and two strikeouts.