Lady Leopards edge Atlanta
If anyone left the Liberty-EylauAtlanta game early Tuesday evening, they missed a weird, exciting ending.
Liberty-Eylau was seemingly in control with a 6-0 lead after five innings with Bella Gunderson cruising along with a no-hitter.
But Atlanta broke through with a two-run homer by Kinsie Kelley in the sixth, and added five runs in the top of the seventh for a 7-6 lead.
The Lady Leopards bounced back with two runs in the bottom of the seventh for an 8-7 victory in a District 14-4A game at Lady Leopard Field.
Tori Foster and McKenzie Williams led off the seventh for L-E with base hits. and soon advanced to second and third on a wild pitch.
Kayla Norris then drove in the tying run with a sacrifice fly to center field. Williams soon advanced to third on a wild pitch.
The Atlanta coach decided to intentionally walk the next two batters to set up force-out plays. It almost worked.
Makayla Powers hit a grounder to first to get the force at home, but on throw to first, trying for a double play, Keeley Norris streaked home with the winning run.
“This was a big win for us as we’re at least tied for second place,” said L-E coach Kendra Cullum. “We had a big talk after last nights game and told the girls we have to fight hard and compete. We didn’t lay down after we got behind and wanted the game more. Our speed played a big part in the victory.”
L-E improves to 18-6 overall and 5-3 in district play with two games remaining at Pittsburg Friday and hosting Pleasant Grove next Tuesday.
L-E scored in the second inning on 2-foot inside the park run. Kayla Norris’ batted ball went just two feet, and after the catcher’s overthrow at first base, Norris sprinted around the bases to score.
The Lady Leopards added two runs each in the third and fourth innings and another run in the fifth for a 6-0 advantage.
In the Lady Rabbs’ sixth, Dani Arrendondo broke up the no-hitter with a single up the middle. One-out later, losing pitcher Kelley blasted a home run over the left field fence to draw within, 6-2.
Atlanta then scored five runs on just two hits in the seventh, taking advantage of five walks.
Lilo Garcia and Callie Dyer drew
walks, and Alyssa Simmons drove in the first run with a single. Arrendondo’s sacrifice fly to right scored the second run to pull within, 6-4.
Devin Ulmer’s double scored Simmons to make the score, 6-5. With the potential tying run at second, Coach Cullum decided to intentionally walk Kelley, who had homered earlier.
Ulmer scored on an error by the shortstop, and Cydnee Woods’ sacrifice fly to right scored the go-ahead run, 7-6.
Atlanta 000 002 5— 7 4 3 L-E 012 210 2—871
Kinsie Kelley, Gracie Smith (4), Kelley (5) and Cydnee Wood, Kelley (4), Wood (5). Bella Gunderson and Tam Norris. WP-Gunderson. LP-Kelley.