Lady Lions continue to district finals
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
MINFORD — Scattering runs on the scoreboard in two different innings did the trick for the Fairfield Lady Lions Thursday in the Division IV SE District semifinal game, as they defeated the South Gallia Lady Rebels 5-2 at Minford High School.
The No. 3 seeded Lady Lions (19-9) scored runs in the first and fourth innings to seal the win, as the three runs in the fourth inning broke a 2-2 tied score.
Fairfield, the away team, was first to add runs to the scoreboard as they produced two runs in the inning, starting with Courtney Huff reaching first on an infield error off a bunt. Following two consecutive outs, including a sacrifice bunt by Shelby Smithson (1-for-3), Lauren Larrick kept the inning alive with a six-pitch walk, with Justice Hattan entering the game as the courtesy runner for Larrick.
[[In-content Ad]]Both runners rounded the bases and touched home plate safely with a base hit to centerfield by Sirenity Smith for two RBIs and a 2-0 lead.
"We got off to a very slow start, with the nerves of some of the younger players who have never played at this level before," FHS head coach Matthew Zimmerman said. "We finally adjusted and strung together hits and scored the runs we needed to move to the next round."
The Lady Lions' lead was cut in half with Sara Bailey taking first on a bunt base hit and eventually scoring on a on infield error by the Lady Lions in the bottom of the first.
No. 7 seeded South Gallia (10-12) tied the score in the bottom of the third with Chandra Canaday gaining a two-out base hit past third base and scoring on a base hit to centerfield by Tori Duncan on a 1-1 count, tying the score at 2-2.
That was all the scoring for the Lady Rebels, as the Lady Lions broke away from South Gallia with a three-run fourth.
Halie Chain (1-for-4) reached on an error as the ball went down the third-base line to lead off the inning. She moved to second on a wild pitch and with one out scored on a passed ball with the bases loaded.
The second and third runs of the inning occurred with a double to the outfield by Whitney Hanenkrat (1-for-4), scoring both Kaitlin Evans (who took the bases on a fielder's choice) and Courtney Huff (who drew a walk). Huff ended the day with two runs and a walk.
Even with all the runs, the Lady Lions left three runners stranded on the bases to end the inning.
Also in the game for FHS, Cynnamon Sova-Davey tallied one hit.
Winning the game in the circle was Larrick, who pitched all seven innings for the Lady Lions. Larrick allowed two runs (none earned) on seven hits and one walk. The senior ace finished with eight strikeouts and one hit batter.
"Lauren, from the fourth through the seventh inning, picked up her velocity and did a fantastic job," Zimmerman said. "Our defense made big plays, especially our third baseman Lizz Jones … she did a great job."
Canaday was charged with the loss for the Lady Rebels. She pitched seven innings, allowing five runs (none earned) on seven hits and three walks, while striking out one batter.
This postseason, South Gallia upset No. 2 seeded Southern 12-10 and defeated Trimble 23-3 in the opening round.
The Lady Lions move on to the district final on Saturday, where they will face No. 4 seeded Crooksville, who upset No. 1 seed Portsmouth-Clay on Thursday in the first game of the day. The district title game will start at 1 p.m.
BOX SCORE
FHS 100 300 0 — 5 7 3
SGHS 101 000 0 — 2 7 5
The No. 3 seeded Lady Lions (19-9) scored runs in the first and fourth innings to seal the win, as the three runs in the fourth inning broke a 2-2 tied score.
Fairfield, the away team, was first to add runs to the scoreboard as they produced two runs in the inning, starting with Courtney Huff reaching first on an infield error off a bunt. Following two consecutive outs, including a sacrifice bunt by Shelby Smithson (1-for-3), Lauren Larrick kept the inning alive with a six-pitch walk, with Justice Hattan entering the game as the courtesy runner for Larrick.
[[In-content Ad]]Both runners rounded the bases and touched home plate safely with a base hit to centerfield by Sirenity Smith for two RBIs and a 2-0 lead.
"We got off to a very slow start, with the nerves of some of the younger players who have never played at this level before," FHS head coach Matthew Zimmerman said. "We finally adjusted and strung together hits and scored the runs we needed to move to the next round."
The Lady Lions' lead was cut in half with Sara Bailey taking first on a bunt base hit and eventually scoring on a on infield error by the Lady Lions in the bottom of the first.
No. 7 seeded South Gallia (10-12) tied the score in the bottom of the third with Chandra Canaday gaining a two-out base hit past third base and scoring on a base hit to centerfield by Tori Duncan on a 1-1 count, tying the score at 2-2.
That was all the scoring for the Lady Rebels, as the Lady Lions broke away from South Gallia with a three-run fourth.
Halie Chain (1-for-4) reached on an error as the ball went down the third-base line to lead off the inning. She moved to second on a wild pitch and with one out scored on a passed ball with the bases loaded.
The second and third runs of the inning occurred with a double to the outfield by Whitney Hanenkrat (1-for-4), scoring both Kaitlin Evans (who took the bases on a fielder's choice) and Courtney Huff (who drew a walk). Huff ended the day with two runs and a walk.
Even with all the runs, the Lady Lions left three runners stranded on the bases to end the inning.
Also in the game for FHS, Cynnamon Sova-Davey tallied one hit.
Winning the game in the circle was Larrick, who pitched all seven innings for the Lady Lions. Larrick allowed two runs (none earned) on seven hits and one walk. The senior ace finished with eight strikeouts and one hit batter.
"Lauren, from the fourth through the seventh inning, picked up her velocity and did a fantastic job," Zimmerman said. "Our defense made big plays, especially our third baseman Lizz Jones … she did a great job."
Canaday was charged with the loss for the Lady Rebels. She pitched seven innings, allowing five runs (none earned) on seven hits and three walks, while striking out one batter.
This postseason, South Gallia upset No. 2 seeded Southern 12-10 and defeated Trimble 23-3 in the opening round.
The Lady Lions move on to the district final on Saturday, where they will face No. 4 seeded Crooksville, who upset No. 1 seed Portsmouth-Clay on Thursday in the first game of the day. The district title game will start at 1 p.m.
BOX SCORE
FHS 100 300 0 — 5 7 3
SGHS 101 000 0 — 2 7 5