SB: Lady Dragons keep playoff hopes alive, 4-3
ground ball during a recent Lady Dragon game, scored the winning
run against Newton on Tuesday. (Photo by John Krueger)
With only two games remaining in the regular season, the Shelbyville Lady Dragons are still clinging to the hope of claiming one of the three playoff spots in District 22-2A. The latest reason for the hope to secure a postseason berth is a hard-fought 4-3 victory over Newton in nine innings Tuesday afternoon at Lady Dragon Field.
The win by Shelbyville (3-10) improves the Lady Dragons to 2-4 in league action. A win over Hemphill on the road on Friday (5 p.m.) would go a long way in helping SHS to force a playoff for the third and final spot in the district race with the Lady Hornets. Following Friday's contest, Shelbyville will close out the regular season next Tuesday at home against Kirbyville (5 p.m.).
"We have to beat Hemphill if we want a chance to force a playoff for third place in district," said Shelbyville Head Softball Coach Heather Holloway.
Four Lady Dragons produced multiple hit games against the Lady Eagles on Tuesday to keep the postseason hopes alive. Paige Wilburn tagged a triple and finished the contest 2-for-3 while scoring the opening run of the game for SHS.
Other players with huge offensive production included Kim Vaughn with a 2-for-4 outing. She also drove in a run. Kelsi Griffin went 2-for-4 with a RBI and Keni Griffin sole a base and finished 2-for-4.
"We played well, but allowed Newton to stay in the game, which gave them a lot of confidence late," Holloway explained. "But we hung in there and battled it out for the win.
"I give Newton a lot of credit for playing well; they have not played more than five innings in a game in district."
Britni Cooper went the distance in the circle for the Lady Dragons. She did not allow an earned run in the nine innings she worked, scattering six hits, while walking one and striking out nine batters. She also drew the praise from her coach for her outstanding play.
With the score tied 3-3 heading into the bottom of the ninth, Sarah Hendricks singled to reach first. Britni Cooper then hit a pop up into foul territory, which was caught by the catcher. An alert Hendricks tagged and headed for second. The throw to the Lady Eagle second baseman went into the outfield, giving Hendricks a break and she ended up scoring on the play, clinching the victory.