Lady Trojans stop Norphlet
NORPHLET – For the second time in less than a week, the Parkers Chapel Lady Trojans earned a victory over Norphlet.
In the newest installment of this series, PC held on to defeat the Lady Leopards 4-2 Saturday afternoon in the championship game of the El Dorado Chemical Softball Classic.
The Lady Trojans’ most recent triumph over Norphlet had a much different tenor than did their 11-run home victory over the Lady Leopards Thursday. This particular meeting between the two Union County competitors was highly entertaining. But, the key to PC winning the game and tournament crown was one bad inning by Norphlet.
The Lady Trojans scored each of their runs in the third. Ultimately, a pair of mental breakdowns by the host team paved the way for Parkers Chapel (12-1) to grab a lead it would not relinquish.
Bailey Norwood was the leadoff batter of the inning and she hit a single to left. The next batter was struck out. With Norwood now on second, Allison Rogers put down a bunt. Norphlet was able to field the bunt, but home plate was left uncovered. Therefore, Norwood rounded the bases and easily scored giving her team a 1-0 lead. The following batter was Savannah Slaughter and she too used a bunt. Once again, the Lady Leopards committed a miscue. The throw to pick-off Slaughter sailed high above the head of the Lady Leopard fielding first base. As the ball rolled into foul territory, Rogers scored increasing the Lady Leopard lead to 2-0.
Now at-bat was Bailey Rich. She would soon clear the bases for Parkers Chapel after sending a pitch from Norphlet’s Mallory Brewer well beyond the fence in left field for a 2-run homer. With the Lady Trojans holding a 4-0 lead, Norphlet finally got out of the inning when Courtney Phelps grounded out and Savannah Jones hit a pop fly to right field.
In the bottom of the fourth, Norphlet scored its first runs of the game.
Lexi Long led off the inning with a single down the third base line. Lindsey Martin then made contact with a pitch from Phelps. A