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By Craig Brown
It was one of the coldest games in memory. The cold windy conditions were more suited to late season football than softball. I have to salute the players of both teams for playing as hard as they did on the already shaded Warrior softball field.
The win puts the Warriors at 1-1 on the season. Like the Warriors, the Gators are getting a late start this season and both teams are basically two weeks behind in preparations. Warrior Head Coach Norm Norton was not pleased with the team’s eight errors but was well pleased with the fact that the Warriors did not let it get them down and continued to play with enthusiasm. Last year the Warriors would have quit after making mistakes in the field but the team is lead by seniors Ansley Hamer, five years; Jamie Carpenter, four years; and Madison King and Emilie Martin, both three years, who encourage the team to continue giving it their best regardless of the number of mistakes or runs allowed.
The Gators picked up two runs in the top of the first inning, one earned and one unearned to go ahead 2-0. With the biggest effort at bat in over three years in one inning, the Warriors picked up seven runs to close the inning with a 7-2 lead.
The Gators added three more runs in the top of the second coming from two hits and three errors. The Warriors added two runs on three hits, two walks and a fielder’s choice to give them a 9-5 lead after two innings played.
Three Warrior errors allowed the Gators two more runs in the top of the third to close at 9-7 with the Warriors unable to produce at their turn of the bat.
The Warriors started to improve in fielding and sent the Gators three up and out in the top of the fourth. Two hits and six walks got the Warriors five runs in the bottom of the fourth to increase the Warrior lead to 14-7. Two hits and an error gave the Gators their final two runs in the top of the fifth. The game was called in the bottom of the fifth when the Warriors scored their fourth run of the inning giving them a ten run lead after five and a 19-9 victory.
On the mound for the Warriors, Jamie Carpenter posted five strikeouts, one walked batter, and nine runs scored with six unearned for the win.
For the Gators, Lindsay Meroney posted two strikeouts, 12 walked batters, eight hits, and 14 runs scored in four and a half innings for the loss. Kelly Roberts faced two batters in the bottom of the fourth, walking one and allowing no runs. Carley Dawson was on the mound in the fifth inning with no strikeouts, four walked batters, four hits, and four runs scored.
At bat for the Gators, Bryanna Lane was 2-for-3 with one RBI; Skylar Chavis was 2-for-3; Carley Dawson was 1-for-3 with a triple and two RBI; Lindsay Meroney was 1-for-3 with a fielder’s choice and two RBI; Lexi Pittman and Marley Lane made it two base on two errors; and Allison Wilkerson had a fielder’s choice RBI.
For the Warriors, Madison King was 3-for-5 with a double, a triple, and three RBI; Ansley Hamer was 3-for-5 with two RBI, also getting to base on an error; Leah Stephens was 2-for-4 with a triple and four RBI, also making it to base on an error and a walk; Sara Bass was 1-for-1 with a double and two RBI, also drawing four walks to base; Jamie Carpenter was 1-for-3 with three RBI, also getting to base on a fielder’s choice and a walk; Myra Bracey was 1-for-1, also getting to base on a walk; Samantha Carpenter was 1-for-2, getting to base on three walks and adding two stolen bases; Emilie Martin had a fielder’s choice RBI and got to base on three walks; and Madison Moody got to base on two walks.
Coach Norton congratulated the team on not giving up and hanging on to get the win and noted Jamie Carpenter’s effort on the mound.
Coach Danny Ellis, who does most of the batting drills, was well pleased with the 11 hits and only two strikeouts for the Warriors in this game.
The Warriors will be observing senior week with the four seniors on a mission trip to Central America and no games are supposed to be scheduled this week.
Photos by Craig Brown. Click the images below to view at full size!
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