Missy Gators outlast Terry, 18-14
Published 9:19 am Wednesday, March 1, 2017
After scoring a total of two runs in their first two games, the Vicksburg Missy Gators finally got to break out and have a little fun Tuesday night.
Bethany Martin went 3-for-6 with a triple and three RBIs, and the Missy Gators took advantage of 17 walks to outlast Terry 18-14. Vicksburg scored in every inning except the seventh, when it did not bat.
“It was crazy. We did do some good things and the other things we did wrong are fixable,” Vicksburg coach Brian Ellis said. “We battled through a long game and got the win. That’s very good for us. We actually had several baserunning mistakes that took us out of three different potential big innings.”
The Missy Gators did plenty as it was, but Ellis was more upset with the mistakes extending the game instead of possibly ending it early via the run rule.
Every Vicksburg starter scored at least one run. Jasmine Miller walked four times and scored three runs, and Markayla Chiles also walked four times and scored twice.
Sara Daniels, Kimberlyn Christian, Chiles, Abby Hasty and Gracie Emerson all scored two runs apiece.
Vicksburg survived the wild early part of the game and led 12-11 after three innings. Things settled down a bit from there as VHS pitcher Kayla Foster finally gained control. She retired the side in order in the fourth inning, didn’t give up a run after putting two batters on base in the fifth, and also shut out Terry in the sixth.
Terry did not score another run until the seventh inning, when Deonna Cain tagged and scored on a pop up and Ryleigh Brown delivered a two-out RBI single to trim the margin to 18-14. Another batter reached on an error before Foster got Alexis Applewhite to hit a comebacker to end the game.
Cain finished the game 2-for-3 with a double, three RBIs and two runs scored for Terry (0-3). Celidh Dalton had two hits, doubled, drove in two runs and scored two.
Vicksburg will continue its early-season home stand when it hosts Port Gibson Friday at 6:15 p.m.
Pearl 8, Warren Central 6
Gracie Greenhill delivered an RBI single in the top of the eighth inning, and Cailee Arender later scored on a passed ball as Pearl (1-1) beat Warren Central (2-1) on Tuesday.
Warren Central scored five runs in the third inning to wipe out a 4-1 deficit, but later blew a 6-4 lead. Pearl scored single runs in the sixth and seventh innings to send it to extra innings, where it finished the comeback.
“They brought in a pitcher that threw faster than we expected. We didn’t catch up to her and they were able to eat at the lead,” Warren Central coach Dana McGivney said. “We played solid defense and it’s early in the season. I have no doubt we will start hitting better after we play a few more games.”
Greenhill finished the game 2-for-3 with three RBIs for Pearl, while Lauren Pope was 2-for-3 with a triple and three runs scored. Arender had two hits and scored twice.
Kaitlyn Mitchell hit a two-run inside-the-park home run during a five-run third inning for WC. She finished with three hits.
April Lynn tripled and drove in three runs for the Lady Vikes, who will host Florence Thursday at 6:15 p.m.