Lady Lions start season with 3rd straight win
Lead Summary
By
The Highland County Press-
The Fairfield Lady Lions defeated the much-improved Fayetteville Lady Rockets, 9-4 in a Southern Hills League game played Thursday in Fayetteville.
The Lady Lions (3-0, 2-0 SHL) continue to play very well in the cold weather, as they scored two runs in the first inning to take an early lead. They increased their lead through the middle innings with timely hits and aggressive base running, surviving a four-run inning by Fayetteville.
FHS bounced back to score a run in the top of the seventh inning and then let their pitching ace Lauren Larrick close the door by striking out the side in the bottom of the seventh.
The big difference in the game was defense.
The young Fayetteville team committed six errors on the afternoon, while the veteran Fairfield team committed one, receiving stellar performances from their outfielders.
Senior centerfielder Danielle Butler made an outstanding over-the-shoulder catch off a deep fly ball to center. Senior right fielder Kylie Bates had four put-outs, along with an assist on the afternoon. Bates had two diving catches off line drives on the right field foul line, on consecutive batters in the third inning.
To go with their productive defense, the Lady Lions scored first offensively in the SHL contest.
Heather Huff hit the very first pitch of the game over the left fielder’s head for a double. Danielle Butler followed with a bunt single, moving Huff to third. Abby Thackston’s ground out to the third baseman scored both Huff and Butler, giving FHS a 2-0 lead.
The Lady Lions added another run in the top of the third inning, taking a 3-0 lead. With the bases empty and two outs, Whitney Hanenkrat tripled to the fence in right field. Hanenkrat scored on a dropped third strike as Larrick reached first base safely.
FHS took a 6-0 lead with three more runs in the top of the fourth inning.
Jade Shelton reached base on a dropped third strike, and Kortney Paris was safe on an infield error. Huff crushed a double to the fence in left field, driving in both runners.
Butler drew a walk and stole second base with a great hook slide around the tag. Thackston singled down the left field line to score Butler.
The runs continued to add up for FHS, stretching their lead to eight runs with two more runs in the top of the fifth inning.
Larrick reached second base on an outfield error, as Courtney Huff ran the bases for Larrick. Sirenity Smith followed with a sacrifice bunt, and Courtney Huff on an aggressive base running moved scored all the way from second base. Shelby Smithson reached first after getting hit by a pitch, then advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Paris singled to left field to drive in Smithson.
The young Lady Rockets rallied in the bottom of the sixth inning to score four runs on five hits. The big hits in the inning were doubles by Claire Carson and Taylor Boothy.
FHS answered by scoring a run in the top of the seventh inning. Butler doubled to the gap in right centerfield, with two outs. Abby Thackston followed with a single to centerfield for the RBI.
Larrick capped off the game in the seventh inning, striking out the side in order to end the game.
Leading hitters for the Lady Lions were: Heather Huff (2-for-5, two doubles, one run, two RBIs), Butler (2-for-4, double, three runs), Thackston (2-for-5, four RBIs), Larrick (2-for-4, double, one run), Hanenkrat (1-for-5, triple, one run) and Paris (1-for-4, one run, one RBI).
Larrick (3-0) was the winning pitcher for FHS. Larrick went 7 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and one walk. She finished with nine strikeouts.
Claire Carson (2-1) suffered the loss for Fayetteville, as she went seven innings. She allowed nine runs (two earned) on 10 hits and four walks. Carson finished with five strikeouts.
The Lady Lions return to action on Saturday, April 2 in double-header action, hosting the Westfall Lady Mustangs at 11 a.m.[[In-content Ad]]
The Lady Lions (3-0, 2-0 SHL) continue to play very well in the cold weather, as they scored two runs in the first inning to take an early lead. They increased their lead through the middle innings with timely hits and aggressive base running, surviving a four-run inning by Fayetteville.
FHS bounced back to score a run in the top of the seventh inning and then let their pitching ace Lauren Larrick close the door by striking out the side in the bottom of the seventh.
The big difference in the game was defense.
The young Fayetteville team committed six errors on the afternoon, while the veteran Fairfield team committed one, receiving stellar performances from their outfielders.
Senior centerfielder Danielle Butler made an outstanding over-the-shoulder catch off a deep fly ball to center. Senior right fielder Kylie Bates had four put-outs, along with an assist on the afternoon. Bates had two diving catches off line drives on the right field foul line, on consecutive batters in the third inning.
To go with their productive defense, the Lady Lions scored first offensively in the SHL contest.
Heather Huff hit the very first pitch of the game over the left fielder’s head for a double. Danielle Butler followed with a bunt single, moving Huff to third. Abby Thackston’s ground out to the third baseman scored both Huff and Butler, giving FHS a 2-0 lead.
The Lady Lions added another run in the top of the third inning, taking a 3-0 lead. With the bases empty and two outs, Whitney Hanenkrat tripled to the fence in right field. Hanenkrat scored on a dropped third strike as Larrick reached first base safely.
FHS took a 6-0 lead with three more runs in the top of the fourth inning.
Jade Shelton reached base on a dropped third strike, and Kortney Paris was safe on an infield error. Huff crushed a double to the fence in left field, driving in both runners.
Butler drew a walk and stole second base with a great hook slide around the tag. Thackston singled down the left field line to score Butler.
The runs continued to add up for FHS, stretching their lead to eight runs with two more runs in the top of the fifth inning.
Larrick reached second base on an outfield error, as Courtney Huff ran the bases for Larrick. Sirenity Smith followed with a sacrifice bunt, and Courtney Huff on an aggressive base running moved scored all the way from second base. Shelby Smithson reached first after getting hit by a pitch, then advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Paris singled to left field to drive in Smithson.
The young Lady Rockets rallied in the bottom of the sixth inning to score four runs on five hits. The big hits in the inning were doubles by Claire Carson and Taylor Boothy.
FHS answered by scoring a run in the top of the seventh inning. Butler doubled to the gap in right centerfield, with two outs. Abby Thackston followed with a single to centerfield for the RBI.
Larrick capped off the game in the seventh inning, striking out the side in order to end the game.
Leading hitters for the Lady Lions were: Heather Huff (2-for-5, two doubles, one run, two RBIs), Butler (2-for-4, double, three runs), Thackston (2-for-5, four RBIs), Larrick (2-for-4, double, one run), Hanenkrat (1-for-5, triple, one run) and Paris (1-for-4, one run, one RBI).
Larrick (3-0) was the winning pitcher for FHS. Larrick went 7 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and one walk. She finished with nine strikeouts.
Claire Carson (2-1) suffered the loss for Fayetteville, as she went seven innings. She allowed nine runs (two earned) on 10 hits and four walks. Carson finished with five strikeouts.
The Lady Lions return to action on Saturday, April 2 in double-header action, hosting the Westfall Lady Mustangs at 11 a.m.[[In-content Ad]]