Fairfield returns home with win over Ripley
Fairfield pitcher Rilee Quickle pitches in a game at home this season. (HCP Photo/Stephen Forsha)
After 12 days off due the inclement weather, the Fairfield Lady Lions traveled to the banks of the Ohio River to play the Ripley Lady Blue Jays at the RULH Middle School in Aberdeen on Tuesday, defeating their Southern Hills Athletic Conference opponent RHS 13-3 in five innings.
The Lady Lions fell behind 1-0 headed into the top of the third inning but erupted for eight runs to take an 8-1 lead and never looked back.
Rilee Quickle was brilliant in the circle, allowing two earned runs on five hits. She allowed no walks and finished with seven strikeouts for her 14th consecutive win in the circle.
In the eight-run third inning, Quickle had a single and double, driving in three runs. Kelsie Crowder had a single to drive in a run. Alyssa Bales drew a bases-loaded walk to score a run, Avery Morrow had a ground ball fielder’s choice to drive in a run, and Ally Maynard doubled to drive in a run.
Fairfield stretched the lead to 11-2 in the top of the fourth inning scoring three runs on four hits. Carly Sanders led off the inning with a double, Crowder singled, Bales walked, Jorgia Smith tripled to drive in two runs and Whitlee Morrow singled to drive in Smith.
The Fairfield Lady Lions completed their side of the scoring column with two runs in the top of the fifth inning. With two outs and no one on base, Sanders drew a walk, Crowder followed with a single, and pinch hitter Ava White walked to load the bases. Pinch hitter Daphne Butts singled up the middle to score Sanders and Crowder.
Quickle struck out the first two batters she faced in the bottom of the fifth inning. Ripley’s senior shortstop Grace Taylor on senior day then tripled to the fence in left field and two pitches later stole home. Quickle then struck out the next batter to end the game.
Leading hitters for the Lady Lions: Quickle (2-for-3, two runs, double, three RBI), Maynard (1-for- 3, double, one run, one RBI), Jobey Hattan (1-for-3, one run), Sanders (2 -for-2, double, two runs, one RBI), Crowder (3-for-4, double, three runs, one RBI), Bales (1-for-1, two runs, one RBI), Smith (2-for-3, triple, one run, two RBI, Avery Morrow (one run, one RBI), Whitlee Morrow (1-for-3, one RBI), White (one walk) and Butts (1-for-1, two RBI).
Quickle (14-1) was the winning pitcher for Fairfield, throwing five innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five and no walks with seven strikeouts.
The win improves Faierfield to 14-3 overall and 9-0 in the SHAC Division II standings.