Reddies avoid elimination from GAC softball tourney
BENTONVILLE — Henderson State used another standout performance in the circle from senior Sydney Bonner, and an offensive explosion in the sixth inning, to defeat East Central, 5-1, on Friday afternoon in the Great American Conference Tournament.
With the win, the fourth-seeded Reddies advanced to play No. 6 seed Harding (31-25, 22-22) at 7 p.m. Friday night at the Tiger Athletic Complex in Bentonville in a second elimination game.
The Reddies (33-24, 24-20) found themselves in a pitcher’s duel early, much like in their tournament opener on Wednesday. They faced elimination Friday after losing, 2-1, to No. 5 seed Southern Nazarene (26-26-1,
20-18-1) in the first round.
Chances were few and far between, offensively, through the first four innings with eighth-seed East Central (23-30-1, 18-23-1). With the game still scoreless in the bottom of the fifth, Henderson finally broke through with help from some good fortune.
Junior third baseman Ashleigh Erb, out of Weatherford High School in Texas, got things started when she hit a long drive to right field which just escaped the grasp of the East Central outfielder. As the ball careened off the fence, Erb made her way to third base with just one out.
The Reddies’ next batter, junior designated hitter Selena Mendoza from Mesquite, Texas, and a transfer from Murray State, put a ground ball into play, but not enough for Erb to score. Erb tried for home, but was caught in a rundown between third base and home plate.
The ball went into left field on an errant throw off of the third baseman’s glove during the rundown, allowing Erb to score for a 1-0 lead. Another throwing error home allowed Mendoza to reach third base, but she did not score.
Mendoza did come through for a second time with the bases loaded in the following inning. East Central was unable to make a play on her bunt and senior shortstop Bethany Allen, from Mineral Wells, Texas, and a transfer from Weatherford Community College, scored to extend the lead to 2-0.
Senior catcher Courtney Warren later lined a double into right-center field with the bases loaded. The hit plated three runs for a 5-0 lead.
The Tigers managed to score a run in the seventh, but Bonner (13
12) ended their hopes for a comeback and sealed the 5-1 win. The senior from Sheridan allowed just one run on five hits for the complete-game victory.
Allen, Erb and freshman second baseman Lindsey Williams, of Conway, each had two hits to lead Henderson at the plate.