By Staff
BREAKING UP TWO – Clarkdale's Megan Potate tries to turn a double play as West Lauderdale's Kirby Rutledge slides in to break it up on Thursday night. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Ryan Satcher / staff writer
Aug. 16, 2002
COLLINSVILLE West Lauderdale escaped with a victory against Clarkdale in a battle of two strong slow-pitch softball programs on Thursday night.
The visiting Lady Bulldogs jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the game but West Lauderdale was able to get key hits and pull out the win.
Both teams struggled at the plate in the game, but both coaches felt that's because the season is still very young.
The Lady Bulldogs scored two runs in the top of the first inning to take an early lead.
JorD'an Orr started the game with a double. She scored when Sabrina Woodall reached on an error to make the score 1-0. Woodall later came around to score on another West Lauderdale error to make the score 2-0.
The Lady Knights answered with two runs in the bottom of the second. Amy Frazier led off with a triple and scored on a ground out by Katie Moulds. Kirby Rutledge had a double later in the inning and scored when Holly Herrington hit a shot just over the left fielder's head. Herrington was stranded at third and the score remained tied at two.
The Lady Knights scored another run in the third inning to take the lead. Courtney Godwin tripled with one out in the inning. After a popout, Clarkdale decided to intentionally walk J.J. Huggins and Frazier. Moulds made the Lady Bulldogs pay with an RBI single. West Lauderdale left the bases loaded, however, and was only able to take a 3-2 lead.
West Lauderdale scored another run in the fifth inning. Godwin singled and Brooke Bounds walked. Frazier came through with a single to knock in Godwin and give the Lady Knights a 4-2 lead.
Clarkdale threatened in the top of the seventh but could not get a key hit. The Lady Bulldogs had two runners on with just one out but couldn't get in any runs and the Lady Knights took the 4-2 win.
West Lauderdale improved to 3-0 on the young season with the victory while Clarkdale dropped to 0-1 on the year. West Lauderdale will play again next Thursday when it hosts Heidelberg, while the Lady Bulldogs will play host to Clinton in a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m.