A throwing error in the bottom of the seventh inning by the Clover Blue Eagles gave the Fort Mill softball team a huge leg up with a Region 3-5A win.
Fort Mill beat Clover 4-3 just two days after getting one hit by them on the road. The Jackets improved to 9-10 overall and 3-4 in region play.
“Practice in between games definitely helped us,” said Fort Mill head softball coach Skyler O’Mara. “We made adjustments at the plate. All around we played really well. When we were under pressure we came out on top. We turned the corner and things are going up. We only have so many region games left. We have to keep the momentum and keep the vibe going.”
Fort Mill’s Elaina Hildebrand faced the minimum to open the game for the Jackets. Clover did the same thing as Fort Mill went down in order.
Mallory Moore led the bottom of the second inning off with a single up the middle. Lexi Verastegui walked two batters later and a Clover error loaded the bases for the Jackets. Emily Poteat then hit a three run double to give Fort Mill an early lead.
The Blue Eagles bounced back in the top of the third inning to score two runs on Fort Mill off three hits.
In the bottom of the third, Moore reached on a fielder’s choice, but the Jackets were unable to score in the inning. Clover did the same in the top is the fourth getting a base runner off a Fort Mill error, but like the Jackets, were unable to score.
Clover continued to threaten on the base paths, but Fort Mill‘s defense and pitching held strong through five innings.
Brooke Rosario walked to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning for the Jackets, but was left stranded on third base to end the inning.
Clover tied the game up in the top of the sixth inning, starting with a leadoff single that was followed eventually by game tying double to even things up at three.
Fort Mill threatened getting Verastegui on with a walk, but again the Jackets offense stalled.
The Blue Eagles got a baserunner on to start the seventh. A stolen base and throwing error put her on third before an intentional walk put runners on the corners. However, Hildebrand was able to work out of the jam for the Jackets without allowing a run.
Poteat reached on an error to open the bottom of the seventh. Rosario would be intentionally walked leading to a Haley Rogers single which resulted in an error throw home by the Blue Eagles to give Fort Mill the win. Moore, Poteat, and Rogers each had the only hits for the Jackets.
Hildebrand pitched a complete game for the Jackets as she allowed three runs on seven hits, while walking two and striking out four.
Fort Mill next faces Rock Hill on Friday, April 17 to try and even their record.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
