SB: Lady Riders shut down No.15 Carthage
catch of a fly ball during recent season action. Russell made a
key defensive play Friday as Center knocked off No.15-ranked
Carthage, 4-2. (Photo by John Krueger)
The Center Lady Riders produced probably their best all-around performance of the season Friday night and what made the effort even sweeter is it came against arch-rival Carthage. The Lady Bulldogs entered the contest ranked No.15 in the state in Class 3A and in a first-place tie in District 18-3A. Nevertheless, CHS dominated play en route to a 4-2 at Lady Bulldog Field.
Center played 'small ball' in picking up the win, but the strategy by Head Coach Christie Benton worked to perfection. The Lady Riders scored its four runs on five hits, with the stellar defense committing just one error.
The Lady 'Dawgs were held to two runs on seven hits as Lady Rider ace Cassidy Rainbolt picked up the victory in the circle. Rainbolt walked just one, while striking out four. She also had a defense playing behind her that was a big part of the win, according to Benton.
"Everything fell together tonight," Benton said after the game. "The girls played their hearts out and worked together as a team to beat a team that was tied for first place in district.
"Cassidy did a great job of hitting her spots and allowing her defense to work behind her. Our defense was awesome, with everyone making their plays. It was a complete team effort!"
Benton noted a couple of the plays which made the 'highlight reel'. The first came in the fourth inning when Ashley Schulz intercepted a ball hit up the middle and throwing the Carthage baserunner out at first, robbing her of a hit. Another outstanding play came with two outs in the same inning when centerfielder Destiny Russell made a running catch near the wall in center.
"Defensively we came out a little nervous in the first inning, but we settled down and made no errors from the second inning on," Benton praised. "This is the way I know our team can play when they put it all together and I'm so proud that it came against Carthage tonight.
"This was a sweet win for everyone involved; with the rivalry we have with Carthage, it was amazing. I'm so proud of the way the girls came together and played the way I knew they could. It's a great way to go into the final week of the season."
Ruining Senior Night for the Lady Bulldogs also made the win even sweeter. The Lady Bulldogs' four-year starting pitcher had recorded her 1,000th strikeout earlier in the week against Diboll, and playing against her and being determined not to add to her total was even more incentive for Center players, Benton added.
After a cold first inning at the plate, Benton switched her to 'small ball' strategy. In the second inning Michaela Schulz slapped the ball past the first baseman for a double, before Marnie Mize connected with a bunt single, moving Schulz to third. Mize proceeded to steal second and Schulz hit paydirt on a wild pitch.
An alert Mize then went to third on a passed ball. She then plated on another passed ball to put the Lady Riders on top 2-1 as the Lady Bulldogs appeared rattled.
Center continued to put on the offensive pressure in the third frame. Kaley Nichols started off by faking a bunt and lining the ball to short centerfield. The ball bounced off the defender's glove putting her on base. Russell bunted the ball over the pitcher's head for a single and Nichols and Russell moved to third and second on a passed ball.
Up to the plate stepped slugger Ashley Schulz, who lined a single up the middle to score Nichols and give CHS a 3-1 lead. With one out Suzanne Peace hit the ball deep to second to score drive in Nichols and give Center a 4-1 advantage.
Carthage added another run in the sixth inning, but by then it was too late as the Lady Riders' defense did the rest.
Center will host Senior Night on Tuesday when they last Friday battle Hudson in the Lady Riders' home finale. The junior varsity will get started at 4:30 p.m. and the varsity at approximately 6:30 p.m. CHS will close out the season at Huntington on Friday.
Center JV 12, Carthage 6 -- The Center junior varsity recorded its first victory of the season against Carthage, picking up a 12-6 victory.
Hannah Morris, who has been injured most of the season, picked up the win, allowing five hits while recording two strikeouts.
Lead the Center offense included Sykera Berry and Amber Lowe with a single each. Center displayed discipline at the plate, drawing 12 walks.