A three-run triple by Bailei Ross in the bottom of the eighth gave the Nation Ford Falcons softball team a big Region 3-5A win over the Catawba Ridge Copperheads.
The Falcons won 6-3 two walks and a double in the inning before a bases clearing hit by Ross. The win propelled Nation Ford to a 10-3 record and 3-1 in Region 3-5A. The loss dropped Catawba Ridge to 9-7 on the season and 3-1 in the region.
“I am really proud of the girls,” said Nation Ford head coach Shelby Sosebee. “It was a true team effort. I feel like we should have scored earlier, but they didn’t lose hope and they kept fighting. One of our words this season is compete. Compete every pitch and compete with each other and be each other’s biggest fan. I really think we showed that.”
Catawba Ridge led the game off with a double from Jaidyn Harris. A sacrifice fly by Mia Kovacs would score Harris to put the Copperheads up early.
The bottom of the inning saw Maci Ladamus legged out an infield single, but that was all the Falcons could muster.
Catawba Ridge loaded the bases in the second inning with an error and a couple of Copperheads’ walks, but Nation Ford starter Paizlei Ross was able to come back and get out of the jam without surrendering a run.
Both teams would threaten during the next couple of innings, but despite getting base runners, neither were able to push across a run.
Ross was able to continue to hold Catawba Ridge at bay in the top of the fourth. Copperheads’ starter Nora Mari was just as strong when in tough situations. Mari allowed a couple of walks in the inning. Nation Ford put two runners on in the bottom of the fourth and was able to tie the game on a passed ball scoring courtesy runner Bree Williams to tie the game.
Catawba Ridge got the run back to lead off the top of the fifth inning with a solo home run from Harris.
The Falcons got a base runner on in the bottom of fifth inning, but was picked off in trying to get an extra base.
Ross came out after the fifth inning having allowed two runs on two hits, struck out five and walked three. She was replaced by Kailey Alston.
In the bottom of sixth inning, Kinslee Adamson doubled with two outs and allowed a walk to Jackie Knol again giving Nation Ford life. However, Mari was able to again work out of the jam without allowing a run.
After a scoreless top of the seventh for Catawba Ridge, Brooke Ressler reached on an error for the Falcons and would score on a sacrifice fly by Ella Witkopf with one out in the bottom of seventh.
Camryn Bird hit a one out solo home run in the top of the eighth inning to give the Copperheads a 3-2 lead, but it wasn’t enough for Catawba Ridge.
Adamson led at the plate for Nation Ford going 2-4 with an RBI. Bailei Ross went 1-4 with three RBI. Catawba Ridge was led by Harris, who went 3-4 with a home run and RBI, and Bird, who went 1-4 with a home run and RBI.
“Nora did a great job,” said Catawba Ridge head coach Mike Mayak. “We had some great at-bats. I love the fight in this team. They fought knowing we were down. That is going to be the season for us. We have to play clean. We had opportunities to win. The girls continue to battle.”
March 24 Roundup
The Nation Ford boys’ soccer team won 3-1 over Catawba Ridge. The Falcons improved to 5-7 overall and 2-2 in Region 3-5A. The Copperheads dropped to 6-4 overall and 3-1 in the region.
The Catawba Ridge boys’ tennis team beat Northwestern 6-0 to improve to 6-4 overall on the season and 5-3 in Regino 3-5A.
Late Monday, the Nation Ford girls’ lacrosse team beat Clover 11-7 to improve to 8-1 overall and 2-0 in Region 3-5A.
Late Monday, the Nation Ford boys’ lacrosse team lost to Clover 14-7 to fall to 4-4 on the season and 2-1 in Region 3-5A.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
