Lady Gladiators J.V. Softball makes a statement against Red Oak
The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire! — Coach Tina Richards celebrates with the Italy Lady Gladiators J.V. Softball Team after an impressive 14-8 victory over the Red Oak Lady Hawks J.V. on Monday. (Barry Byers)
Italy — The Red Oak J.V. Lady Hawks left a runner stranded in the top of the 1st inning against the Italy Lady Gladiators J.V. Softball Team and Pitcher Casi Jeffords who was throwing strikes early and often.
After keeping Red Oak off the board, Italy’s Paola Mata singled to get things started. Morgan Cockerham got on base after the Lady Hawk catcher dropped the the third strike and then overthrew first base. Breyanna Beets stepped up to the plate and blasted a shot to right field to score two and then slid across home plate, moments later, to give Italy a 3-0 lead.
Sa’Kendra Norwood crossed home plate, to make the score 4-0, leaving Nikki Brashear on third base and Mary Tate on second. Katie Byers walked to load the bases and then Khadijah Davis took ball four to score Brashear and give Italy the maximum 5 runs allowed.
In the top of the 2nd inning, already tagged with two outs, Red Oak smacked a line drive thru the gap and into right field. The sure base hit was denied when Tate, who was playing right field, reacted and zipped a throw to Brashear on first base to beat the Red Oak runner by a step. The hustle play sent the Lady Hawks back to the dugout to get their mitts and positioned Italy to take control of the game.
“I knew we had two outs so I just went for it. Nikki (Brashear) was in good position and it worked out,” stated Tate when asked about the rare accomplishment.
In the bottom of the 2nd, with one out showing on the board, Mata singled again followed by Cockerham who walked to first. Beets stepped back up to the plate and again sent the ball sailing into the outfield. Thanks to overthrows by Red Oak’s defense, Italy’s power hitter stretched the effort into a homerun, giving Italy an 8-0 lead.
Norwood singles and then easily steals second base. Brashear knocks Norwood to third base and another miscue by the Lady Hawks allows Norwood to scamper home, 9-0 Italy.
Brashear works her way to third but the next two batters for Italy strike out, not before the damage was done, however.
Down 9-0 in the top of the 3rd, Red Oak rallies and loads the bases against Jeffords. The only out for Italy was a scoop and throw to first base by Mata who was playing shortstop. Red Oak eventually scored the maximum 5 runs allowed and tightened the score 9-5.
In the bottom of the 3rd, Italy’s Sierra Harris connects on the first pitch sending a hard grounder back to the mound. Red Oak’s pitcher makes the grab and throws Harris out at first. The effort by Harris was enough to spark her teammates and Lupita Luna blasted a momentum filled triple with a runner on base.
Jeffords took a pitch to the foot earning her a trip to first base followed by Beets who took a pitch in the back of the leg. Luna then stole home to make the score 11-5. Norwood hits one into right field scoring Jeffords and Beets thanks to yet another overthrow by the Lady Hawks at 3rd base.
Up 13-5, Norwood steals 3rd and Brashear walks to first. Brashear steels second base and Norwood races home to reach the 5 run limit giving the Lady Gladiators J.V. a 14-5 lead.
In the top of the 4th, Red Oak’s final at bat was a mere formality since the 5 run limit was in effect. The Lady Hawks did manage 3 more runs to round out the scoring but it was Italy celebrating the 14-8 win, choosing to forego their last at bat.