A single in extra innings by the TL Hanna Yellow Jackets was enough to beat the Nation Ford Lady Falcons softball team in the 5A playoffs.
Playing by international rules in the ninth inning, TL Hanna edged the Falcons 3-2 Friday night.
“We haven’t been in a situation like that all year,” said Nation Ford head coach Craig Brown. “We couldn’t get the hit when we needed to. We have to move on from this game.”
Nation Ford will now play in an elimination game at home Monday, May 6 against Boiling Springs.
Nation Ford started strong defensively and even got two runners on in the bottom of the first, but was unable to push them across.
Starting pitcher Kailey Alston helped her cause with a double in the second inning. However, the second inning was like the first, as Nation Ford was unable to score leaving another runner stranded.
The Yellow Jackets got their first base runner of the game in the third, but the Lady Falcons defense answered back not allowing a run.
Defensively both teams continue to be strong, despite allowing base runners.
Nation Ford broke through in the fifth inning. Alaina Holyfield reached on an error. Bree Williams was put in as a courtesy runner and would score in a TL Hanna throwing error.
Tori Baldino was then hit by a pitch and sacrificed over to third before Paizlei Ross would double down the right field line to score Baldino. The Falcons would get just three hits in the game, two of the were by Ross, as she had the only RBI.
Nation Ford stranded two runners on the corners before the runner on third was picked off killing the Falcons momentum.
The Yellow Jackets got one back in the top of the sixth inning after back-to-back hits. TL Hanna would tie things up later in the inning on a sacrifice fly to make it 2-2.
Back-to-back errors by Nation Ford and a bunt single by TL Hanna loaded the bases for the Yellow Jackets without any outs. Despite the picture looking bad, Alston battled back getting a key double play with a runner being thrown out at home and fly out to get out of the inning without allowing a run.
Nation Ford failed to get a run in the bottom of the seventh sending the game to extra innings.
Alston was pulled after seven innings as she allowed two runs on five hits, while walking one and striking out eight. Ross came in and walked two batters and was quickly replaced with Kirsten Goldhammer, who pitched two innings and allowed just one hit, which ended up being the game winner.
The loss drops Nation Ford to 14-6 overall on the season.
May 3 Roundup
The Fort Mill boys’ soccer team won 4-0 over Byrnes to advance to the 5A Upper State championship Monday, May 6 where they will take on the JL Mann Patriots on the road. Fort Mill improve to 14-8-1 overall on the season with the win.
The Fort Mill baseball team bounced back from a loss last night with an 11-1 win in an elimination game over Boiling Springs. The Jackets opened scoring nine runs in the bottom of the first to make a strong statement. Thomas Ealey, Josh Patterson, Carter Blankenship, and Brent Laughter all got two hits each. Rayce Buskirk pitched a one hitter over four and two third innings. Fort Mill will now have to sweep a possible doubleheader Monday, May 6 at Dutch Fork. Fort Mill is now 22-7 on the season.
The Catawba Ridge baseball team lost 4-3 on the road to Laurens. The loss drops the Copperheads to the consolation bracket where they will have to win out to advance. Catawba Ridge outhit Laurens 8-4, but made two errors in the game. Owen Noonan went 3-4 with two RBIs and Peyton Dhein went 2-2 in the game. Dhein got the loss giving up four runs on four hits and three walks. The Copperheads will next play on Wednesday, May 8. Catawba Ridge is now 24-4 on the season.
The Catawba Ridge boys’ soccer team fell 4-3 in overtime on the road to Wade Hampton. The loss ends the Copperheads season at 18-5 overall.
The Fort Mill softball team lost to Boiling Springs Bulldogs 5-3 in an elimination game ending their season with a 5-14 record. Vicki Lott went 2-3 with an RBI to lead the Jackets at the plate.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
