Lady Lions solve Lady Warriors in 3rd meeting

SARDINIA — The two champion teams in the Southern Hills League this season, the Eastern Lady Warriors and the Fairfield Lady Lions, met for the third time this season in preparation for district semifinal games, and this time it was the Lady Lions who came out with the win, defeating EB 4-3 Tuesday at EBHS.

FHS senior Lauren Larrick and Maria Johnson of Eastern Brown battled to a 1-1 tie through four innings.

Larrick gave way to freshman pitcher Arica Melson in the fifth inning, and the Lady Lions scored three runs on EB in the sixth for a 4-1 lead.

The Lady Warriors rallied for two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, cutting their deficit to just one run.

That was it, though, as Melson slammed the door on the Lady Warriors in the seventh inning to post her first varsity win.

EB currently stands at 21-4 overall, as they were 12-1 in the SHL this season for a Division I title. FHS is 18-9 overall, as they were 12-1 in the SHL, with a Division II title.

As for the Lady Lion scoring, Courtney Huff (3-for-3, two runs) led off the game with a double to the gap in right-centerfield. Shelby Smithson was safe on an infield single, When the throw was wild at first, Huff scored all the way from second base for the game's first run.

Eastern's Kayla Seigla tied the score with a solo home run over the centerfield fence in the bottom of the second.

Larrick and Johnson shut down opposing batters through the middle innings. Larrick, who was on a pitch count Tuesday, gave way to Melson in the fifth.

FHS added their aforementioned three runs in the top of the sixth, starting with Huff leading off the inning with an infield single. Smithson was safe on a sacrifice bunt, with Huff advancing to third base and Smithson to second base.

Whitney Hanenkrat singled up the middle, scoring Huff, but Smithson had to hold at second base. Larrick singled over the head of the left fielder, loading the bases.

Sirenity Smith hit the ball on the ground at the shortstop, who threw home to force Smithson out at the plate. Justice Hattan laced a line drive single to left-centerfield, driving in Hanenkrat. With two outs and the bases loaded, Liz Jones drew a base on balls to score Morgan Mason, who was pinch running for Larrick.

The Lady Warriors answered with two runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Also for FHS, Kaitlin Evans had one hit.

Arica Melson (1-2) was the winning pitcher in relief of Lauren Larrick (17-7). Larrick pitched four innings, allowing one earned run on three hits and no walks, while striking out two.

Melson pitched three innings, allowing two earned runs on two hits and no walks, along with three strikeouts.

Johnson suffered the loss for EB. She pitched seven innings, allowing four runs (one earned) on eight hits and two walks, while striking out five.

In the Division IV SE District semifinal at Minford High School, the Lady Lions will face the South Gallia Lady Rebels on Thursday, May 17 at 6 p.m.

BOX SCORE
FHS 100 003 0 — 4 7 2
EB 010 002 0 — 3 5 2