Fairfield falls to Clinton-Massie, 14-13

After a rainout the previous day, the Fairfield Lady Lions (7-2, 4-0 SHAC) returned to action Friday (April 11) by traveling to Clinton County to take on the Clinton-Massie Lady Falcons (7-4, 2-2) of the Southern Buckeye Athletic and Academic Conference, American Division.  

Both team featured high-powered offenses capable of scoring runs, and they didn’t disappoint their fans, but on the very cold, cloudy and windy day, both teams’ defenses failed them at times. In the bottom of the seventh inning, Clinton-Massie walked off with a 14-13 victory on a bases-loaded fielder’s choice.

Fairfield scored two runs in the top of the first inning starts their scoring progress with one out as Ally Maynard doubled off the top of the fence in left-centerfield into the wind. 

Jobey Hattan drew a walk, and Carly Sanders singled to left field to score Maynard, but Hattan was tagged out trying to take third base as Sanders advanced to second base. Kelsie Crowder singled to left field to score Sanders.

Clinton-Massie took the lead 3-2 with three runs in the bottom of the first inning on a dropped third strike and an error.

Both teams were scoreless in the second inning, then Fairfield tied the score at 3-3 with a run in the top of the third inning starting when Hattan doubled off the fence in left-centerfield. One out later, Crowder advanced Hattan to third base on a groundout to the third baseman. Alyssa Bales ripped a line drive single to left field, scoring Hattan.

CMHS answered back with six runs in the bottom of third inning to take a 9-3 lead. Clinton-Massie took advantage of three Lady Lion defensive miscues on four hits, including a home run by Karly Goodwin. Rilee Quickle allowed only one earned run in the inning.

The Lady Falcons added another run in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 10-3 lead.

Fairfield answered with four runs in the top of the fifth inning to tighten the score at 10-7. Quickle led off the inning with a single to the left side of the infield, and was forced out at second on a fielder’s choice by Maynard. Hattan doubled to short left centerfield, advancing Maynard to third base.  

Sanders then ripped a double down the left field foul line, scoring both Maynard and Hattan. Crowder singled to advance Sanders to third base and then stole second base. With two outs in the inning, Jorgia Smith singled up the middle to knock in Sanders and Crowder.

Clinton-Massie rebounded by scoring two more runs (one earned) on two hits to take a 13-7 lead.

Maynard entered the circle in the bottom of the sixth inning in relief of Quickle and shutout the Lady Falcons, and both teams were scoreless in the sixth inning.

Facing a 13-7 deficit in the top of the seventh inning, the Lady Lions showed their mental toughness and rallied by tying the score at 13-13 with six runs crossing the plate.  

Crowder led off the inning with an infield single and one out later, was forced out at second base on an infield ground ball by Smith. 

With two outs and Smith at first base, the improbable comeback began. 

Avery Morrow doubled to the fence in left field as Smith advanced to third base. Whitlee Morrow followed with a bunt single scoring Smith as Morrow raced to third base. Whitlee Morrow then stole second base, and Quickle forced an error by the Lady Falcon defense and was safe at first as Avery Morrow and Whitlee Morrow both scored.  

Maynard then singled, advancing Quickle to second base, and Hattan stepped to the plate and blasted the first pitch she saw over the centerfield fence, tying the score 13-13.

The Lady Falcons didn’t not go quietly, and the Fairfield defense let the first two Lady Falcons reach base on back-to-back errors. With runners on second and third base, Fairfield elected to walk the next batter intentionally to load the bases and set up a force out at the plate.  

Maynard then struck out the next batter for the first out of the inning. Clinton-Massie’s Alyssa Sandlin hit a slow ground just to the left of the third baseman, the throw to the plate was not in time and the Lady Falcons walked off with a 14-13 victory on a fielder’s choice.

Leading hitters for the Lady Lions: Quickle (1-for-5, one run), Maynard (2-for-5, double, three runs), Hattan (4-for-4, two doubles, home run, three runs, three RBI), Sanders (2-for-5, two runs, three RBI), Crowder (3-for-4, one run, one RBI), Bales (1-for-3, one RBI), Smith (1-for-3, one run, two RBI), Avery Morrow (1-for-2, double, two walks, one run) and Whitlee Morrow (1-for-4, one run, one RBI).                   

Quickle (7-1) was the starting pitcher for Fairfield, as she pitched five innings, allowing 12 runs (two earned) on 13 hits and two walks with four strikeouts. Maynard (0-1) suffered the loss for Fairfield, pitching 1.1 innings, allowing two runs (none earned) on one hit and a walk.