SB: Lady Dragons eye playoff prize, 2-1
the throw comes in from home during Friday's District 22-2A contest at
Lady Hornet Field. Shelbyville won the game, 2-1, to set up Tuesday's
key game with Kirbyville. (Photo by John Krueger)
HEMPHILL -- With Shelbyville leading Hemphill 2-1 and the bases loaded with two outs in the bottom of the seventh Friday afternoon here at Lady Hornet Field, Shelbyville pitcher Keni Griffin had the game in her hands. She responded by striking out the final batter to preserve the victory and continue to breathe life into the Lady Dragon postseason hopes.
The victory was the second do-or-die situation for Shelbyville this week. After defeating Newton at home on Tuesday, 4-3, in nine innings, Friday's one-run victory over the Lady Hornets moved Shelbyville (4-10) within one victory of forcing a three-way tie for second place in the District 22-2A softball race.
Hemphill completed the regular season Friday with a 4-4 mark and is currently in third place. Kirbyville owns a 4-3 record and is in second place. Shelbyville sits just outside the playoff picture with a 3-4 league record, but has a home make-up game with Kirbyville Tuesday at 5 p.m. at Lady Dragon Field.
As the Lady Hornets sit back and wait, the scenario is simple: If Shelbyville defeats Kirbyville, the 22-2A regular season ends with the Lady Dragons, Kirbyville and Hemphill all tied for second place behind district champion Woodville with identical 4-4 marks and forcing a playoff. If Kirbyville wins, the Lady Wildcats take second and Hemphill will finish third.
Despite the fact that Kirbyville defeated Shelbyville 13-3 the first time the two squads met, the Lady Dragons could surprise the Lady Wildcats as SHS appears to be a team on a mission - the pair of dramatic wins last week prove that.
"That was a great overall team effort," Shelbyville first-year Head Coach Heather Holloway stated after Friday's victory. "Keni Griffin pitched a heck of a ballgame. And I think the players finally starting believing what I've been telling them all season long, which is that they can play with anybody if they just come together and play as a team."
Play together they did, as Shelbyville committed just one error and used a five-hit attack combined with Griffin's work in the circle to claim the dramatic victory.
Griffin went the distance, scattering six hits, while allowing one unearned run and striking three. She walked only one.
Defensively, the Lady Dragons were a 'wall' behind their hurler, keeping the potent Lady Hornet offense at bay most of the game. Despite Hemphill putting pressure on in the later innings, the Lady Hornets left two runners stranded in the fourth, another in the sixth and three in the final frame.
"I think that's the first time [the Lady Dragons] have been in that [pressure] situation and I'm very, very proud of the way they did respond to it," Holloway praised. "Now they need to just come out Tuesday and relax and have fun.
"This game and the Newton game on Tuesday were enough pressure for the whole season. If they'll just come out and relax, play ball and hit the ball the way they're capable of, we'll be fine."
Shelbyville lead-off hitter Paige Wilburn had the hot bat against Hemphill, finishing 2-for-3 with a double. Kelsea Griffin was 1-for-3 with a run scored, and Sarah Hendricks and Keni Griffin both also went 1-for-3.
Bailey Butler led Hemphill as the shortstop finished 2-for-3.
In addition to recording a double, Hemphill pitcher Leigh Hall had a stellar effort in the circle. She pitched seven innings, allowing two unearned runs on five hits with no walks and three strikeouts.
Shelbyville scored all the runs it would need in the second inning. After Kelsea Griffin singled to left to start the frame, she moved to second on a ground out by Keni Griffin. Kelsea scored when Haleigh Cooper reached base on a sacrifice error, which sent Cooper all the way to third. Cooper plated when Summer Williams grounded out to second base.
Wilburn doubled in the third with one out, but was later called out when she stepped in front of the Lady Hornet shortstop on a fielder's choice and was called for runner interference.
In the fourth inning Keni Griffin singled and reached second on an error. She was moved to third on a sacrifice by Cooper. But she was left stranded when the third out was called.
The Lady Hornets began making noise late in the contest. They scored a run in the sixth when Hall doubled to the gap in right-center and then plated on an error. But the Lady Dragons held off the rally to hold a 2-1 lead heading into the seventh.
After giving up only one Shelbyville hit in the top of the seventh, Hemphill managed to load the bases with one out in the bottom of the frame. But a fielder's choice allowed Shelbyville to throw out the runner at home when Williams and Kelsea Griffin teamed up for the second out. Keni Griffin then did the rest to preserve the win.
STATS AT A GLANCE
Linescore
Shelbyville 020 000 0 = 2 5 1
Hemphill 000 001 0 = 1 6 2
Individual Leaders
WP: Keni Griffin (Shelbyville) - 7.0 inn., 1 run, 0 ER, 6 hits, 3 K, 1 BB, 2 HB.
LP: Leigh Hall (Hemphill) - 7.0 inn., 2 runs, 0 ER, 3 K, 0 BB, 0 HB.
2B: Shelbyville - Paige Wilburn. Hemphill - Leigh Hall; Chrissy White.
3B: None.
HR: None.
Records: Shelbyville 4-10, 3-4 district; Hemphill 4-4 district.
Up Next: Shelbyville will host Kirbyville Tuesday (4/20) at 5 p.m. in final regular season game.