By By Ryan Satcher/staff writer
August 16, 2003
Kara Hull ripped a shot to the right-center gap to bring in Jayme Gardner from second and give the Northeast Lauderdale Lady Trojans a 2-1 slow-pitch softball victory over visiting Newton County in eight innings at Northeast Park on Friday.
It was the second time this season the two teams have played a game decided by one run. The Lady Cougars took a 12-11 victory in the teams' first meeting this season.
The Lady Trojans jumped out front with a run in the top of the first inning. Shelley Odom singled to start the inning. After a fielder's choice, Jennifer Bristow had an infield single.
Amber Gray followed with a single to load the bases and Gardner gave Northeast the lead with a fielder's choice.
Both teams struggled to get key hits for the next few innings. The Lady Cougars threatened with runners at first and third in the second inning, but could not come away with a run.
Northeast loaded the bases in the fourth inning, but a fly out ended the threat and kept the Lady Trojan lead at 1-0.
Newton County finally crossed the plate in the top of the fifth inning. Loran Blackburn doubled to start the inning and Chassidy Smith followed with a single.
After an out, Lindsey Little came through with a single to bring in Blackburn to tie the game.
Neither team could get much going and both played solid defense to force the game into extra innings.
Gray came through with a single with one out in the bottom of the eighth for Northeast. After a fielder's choice for Gardner, Capri Norris kept the inning alive with a two out hit to bring Hull to the plate.
Hull slapped the ball into the right-center gap and Gardner easily came around to score and give Northeast the 2-1 victory.
With the win, Northeast improves to 2-2 on the year. The Lady Trojans will host Wayne County and Quitman at Northeast Park today.
The Lady Cougars drop to 3-1 on the year and will travel to play Clarkdale on Tuesday.