| The Tigers took on the
Sluggers today in the Lilburn Girls Softball League
pre-season tournament, the winner advancing to play in the
final game against the Titans. Stami Luchette was forced
to the sidelines, the victim of an errant pitch to the ankle
during Friday evening's practice.
The game began strong for the Tigers,
with Caroline Kilday pouncing on a 2-1 pitch, drilling the
ball into right center for a leadoff double. Rutherford
Stephens followed with a single up the middle, driving in Caroline.
Katie Westmoreland legged out a hit on a
grounder to third, and Audrey Hipple loaded the bases with a
single to the right side. The Tigers first four hitters
had picked up four base hits; the Sluggers would manage just
three for the game. Walks to Ashley Favors and
Irene
Tsinajinnie would push across two more runs to reach the three
run limit for the inning.
The 3-0 lead was short-lived,
however, as Katie took to the mound. She hit the
Sluggers leadoff hitter, who stole second before being caught
stealing third. Allyson Williams fired down the line to
Ashley at third, who put the tag on the runner trying to
return from overrunning the bag. Katie struggled just
slightly, walking the next five hitters, three on full
counts. The Sluggers penchant for taking pitches then
caught up with them, as Katie recorded her first strikeout
before hitting the final batter of the inning, pushing across
the third running, tying the game 3-3. In all, the
Sluggers attempted to hit just 5 of 38 pitches in the inning.
The Tigers looked poised to keep the
pressure on the Sluggers as the game moved into the second
inning. Brittany Leepers drew a leadoff walk and scored
on Caroline's second double, but
Caroline was stranded
at third
as the top of the order couldn't sustain the momentum.
The slim one run lead was not enough
as Rutherford came in to pitch. The Sluggers first
batter picked up their first hit, a dribbler to the right of
the mound, and proceeded to walk around the bases as
Rutherford walked the next five hitters, putting the Tigers
behind for the first time, 6-4.
The Tigers regained the lead in the
top of the third without benefit of a hit. Six of eight
Tigers reached base without seeing a strike (four four-pitch
walks, while Allyson and
Irene were each hit).
With time running out, the 7-6 lead
was precarious. Caroline became the third pitcher of the
day, and like the others needed just a few more strikes.
A fly to short center almost produced the pick-me-up
the Tigers needed. With Brittany fading back and to her
left, she nearly came up with the
ball. Where a catch
would have likely resulted in a double play, the Sluggers went
on to pick up another single and three walks to reclaim the
lead at 9-7 as time expired. |
Recent Results
Saturday, March 17
Sluggers 9,
Tigers 7
Panthers 8, Thrashers 4
Titans 6, Sluggers 5
Upcoming Games
Tuesday, March 20
Sluggers v
Titans (7:45)
Thursday, March 22
Panthers v
Thrashers (7:45)
Saturday, March 24
Thrashers v
Sluggers (2:45)
Tigers v Panthers (4:30)
Tiger of the Game
With a double to start
the game, another in the second inning and a walk in the
third, Caroline Kilday
picks up Tiger of the Game honors for the pre-season
tournament game.
Next Game
Date: Saturday, March 24
Time: 4:30 PM
Opponent: Panthers
Drinks: Favors
Tiger Tails is
the team newsletter, primarily covering game recaps, but also
intended for disseminating noteworthy events and
accomplishments. All contributions are welcome.
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