SJ falls 10-6 to West Lauderdale

By Kevin Kyzar, LL-C Sports Writer
Laurel Leader-Call

ELLISVILLE - South Jones played host to West Lauderdale on Thursday night in prep fast pitch softball action. The Lady Knights beat the Lady Braves, 10-6.

South Jones got the scoring started with two runs in the first inning on four consecutive singles. Singles by Callen Gibson and Reagan Gavin was followed by an RBI single by Mikaylan Ezell.  Gavin scored on Hope Hathorn's single.

West Lauderdale cut into the lead with a solo run in the second inning. Emily Pogue walked, stole second, took third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a passed ball.

The Lady Knights took the lead with a three-run fourth. Pogue reached on an error. After a passed ball, Misty Richard walked. Joanna Stewart then unloaded  a three-run home run.

Gavin then had a solo homer in the fourth.

West Lauderdale increased the lead by  two with a run in the fifth. Sarah Lolly walked and later scored on an infield out.

West Lauderdale added a run in the sixth. Stewart singled and the run came around to score on a double steal.

The Lady Knights scored their final four runs in the seventh inning.

A Haleigh Moffett walk was followed by a fielder's choice and  an error to load the bases. Stewart had an RBI single and another run came in on an error. Lolly's single plated two runs.

The Lady Braves plated three runs in the seventh.

Megean Grayson walked and advanced to third on an Abbey Pitts single. Hanna Tolbert walked to load the bases. Gibson's double scored three runs.

"I am not disappointed with the girls' effort tonight," said Lady Braves head coach Fred Cooley. "The difference in the ball game was that West Lauderdale made the plays defensively and we still have one or two innings where we have trouble making a play.

"Their home run was big for them because Rachel was pitching a great game and we had an error that extended the inning and we went from being up 2-1 to being down 4-2. To our girls' credit, we came back with Reagan hitting her home run and being put in a good position to come back, so their home run was a game changer, but it was not the deciding factor," added Cooley.

West Lauderdale improved to 13-2 overall, 6-0 in district. South Jones fell to 7-5 overall, 1-2 in district.

South hosts Northeast Jones Tuesday starting at 6 p.m.