FULTON - The Lady Mustangs were rolling, but one disasterous inning changed everything. Leading 5-1 in last Tuesday's ICC Tournament game against Hatley, Mantachie surrendered seven runs in the bottom of the third inning and fell to the surging Lady Tigers by a final score of 9-6.
"We played hard but didn't get any timely hits," said Mantachie head coach Noah Hamilton. "We hit the ball hard at times, just not in the right places."
Mantachie starting pitcher Mallory Clouse, recently returning from an illness, gave up nine runs on 11 hits with two strikeouts, but it was the third inning that spoiled what would have been a nice outing from the junior.
"Mallory pitched well but missed her spots a few times," said Hamilton. "That will come the more she pitches."
The Lady Mustangs (8-5) established the early lead with a first inning, bases-loaded walk from Alli DeVaughn, and run scoring at bats by Shelby Kindt, Regan McFerrin, Brittany Adams and Tori Hendrick.
Hatley (7-2) kicked off their big inning with a single from Jamelle Vance, who later scored on a close play at the plate after a nice throw from center fielder Maggie Oswalt almost resulted in a crucial out.
The Lady Tigers then batted through the order, scoring six more runs with Vance capping off the onslaught with a two-run single that ultimately ended the inning when she was called out trying to get to second base.
Hatley added another run in the bottom of the fourth on a Kelsey Wilson RBI that gave them a 9-5 advantage heading into the final three innings of play.
Taylor Barber drove in McFerrin with a two-out single in the sixth, but the Lady Mustangs were unable to continue the rally and stranded base runners on first and second.
Mantachie needed at least three runs in the top of the seventh to extend the contest, but after a one-out Adams walk, the offense fizzled with two straight outs to end the game.
Mantachie 9 Saltillo 4: Immediately following the Hatley loss, the Lady Mustangs went up against the Saltillo Lady Tigers, a team that had beaten them 17-3 at home on February 28.
An Allisa Patterson two-run blast in the first put the Lady Mustangs up, but it was a script-flipping six-run third inning featuring scoring hits from Clouse and Hendrick that broke the game open.
"Allisa's homerun in the first set the tone offensively and we hit the ball well," Hamilton said. "(We) stranded too many runners, but got a few clutch hits that took care of business. Our goal is to improve every pitch, and I think we are doing that."
Hendrick (3-1) pitched 6.2 innings and only gave up two hits to pick up the win and continue her evolution into a potent addition to the Mantachie rotation.
"Tori pitched very well," Hamilton said. "She limited their scoring opportunities most of the game. She struggled late with control and walked a few. Taylor (Barber) finished it for her."
The Lady Mustangs will open Division 2-3A play tomorrow night when they host the Aberdeen Lady Bulldogs. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.
Zach Adams can be reached at 862-3141 or by e-mailing
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itawamba360.com - Lady Mustangs fall to Hatley beat Saltillo in ICC Tourney
