SB: Lady Rams explode past Timpson, 7-2
Vaughn attempts to make the tag for the Lady Rams. Joaquin won the
game, 7-2. (Photo by John Krueger)
TIMPSON -- The Joaquin Lady Rams rode the strong arm of freshman pitcher Whitney Vaughn until the offense woke up in the sixth inning as JHS came from behind to capture its first District 19-1A contest of the year, a 7-2 decision over Timpson Wednesday evening here at Lady Bear Field.
The Joaquin offense, which was stagnant early on, came alive after the Lady Bears (1-5, 0-1 district) took a 1-0 lead in the fourth frame when Dustee Tipton reached base on an error, stole second moved to third on a ground out and then plated on a passed ball.
Joaquin (5-3, 1-0 district) recorded just two hits until the sixth inning, and then busted out with six runs (four earned) on four hits while taking advantage of one Timpson error.
"I'm proud of the girls and the effort they gave tonight," said Timpson Head Coach Cindy Sessions. "We just always seem to have that one inning where we get ourselves in trouble and that happened again tonight."
Joaquin Head Coach Megan Clingman said a slow start has been a problem that has plagued her squad now into their second consecutive season. She said it's a struggle that her players need to work themselves out of.
"Once again we were slow getting started," Clingman emphasized. "We just had that discussion [after the game]. We seem to [start slow] against teams that we should beat; those are the ones we need to come out and attack early on. We need to start doing a better job of coming out and being aggressive early and taking charge."
Vaughn recorded the win in the circle for the Lady Rams. She went the distance, allowing just two runs (one earned) on two hits while striking out seven and not walking a batter.
Caitlyn Smith took the setback for Timpson. She also went the distance, giving up seven runs (four earned) on six hits while walking six and fanning three.
Tipton scored both runs for the Lady Bears. She also stole a base and picked up one of her team's hits. Centerfielder Amanda Haney picked up the other hit.
"We have a lot of kids that aren't seasoned," Sessions explained. "They're hitting the ball right at people, but that's a good sign when they're putting the ball in play. When you put the ball in play you going to have success in time.
"My girls are a little hesitant at the plate. They've got to get it through their heads that I don't care if they strike out swinging; I just don't want them to strike out looking."
Five different Joaquin batters recorded hits. Vaughn not only led the defensive charge with her pitching, but she was the leading hitter for JHS, going 2-for-3 with a RBI and a stolen base from her No.9 spot in the lineup.
Katelyn Cockrell went 1-for-4, with a run scored and a pair of runs batted in, Alyssa Belrose went 1-for-3 with a walk, Jordan Welch singled, scored and drove in a run in four at-bats and Peyton Rutherford went 1-for-4 with a RBI, a run scored and a pair of stolen bases.
Trailing 1-0 in the top of the sixth, Megan Cockrell led off with a walk and Olivia Worsham reached base on an error. Cockrell scored on Welch singled and Worsham plated on a single by Rutherford. Welch and Rutherford later scored when Cockrell sliced a single into short centerfield, giving the Lady Rams a 4-1 lead.
Cockrell plated on a passed ball and Amber Owens, who walked and stole second, scored on a single by Vaughn.
With a 6-1 lead, Joaquin added an insurance run in the seventh with Worsham walked and moved to third when Rutherford reached base on an error. Worsham scored on an error.
Tipton singled in the bottom of the seventh for the Lady Bears. She went to second on a wild pitch and scored on a Haney single to left field. But Timpson couldn't push any more runs across the plate.
Joaquin will now have a busy day ahead on Thursday, playing two games in the Center Softball Tournament. The Lady Rams will take on Class 3A Bullard at 11:20 a.m. and Alto at 3 p.m. Joaquin will then return home for a 6 p.m. District 19-1A make-up game with Gary at 6 p.m.
Timpson will participate in the Beckville tournament and break into two teams. The junior varsity will play at 10 a.m. and the varsity will hit the field at 11:15 a.m.