ANDERSON – The Nation Ford Falcons softball team lost to the TL Hanna Yellow Jackets on the road in the District III Championship Wednesday falling in game two on a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh.
TL Hanna started the bottom of the seventh tied at two with the Falcons and quickly got to Nation Ford’s bullpen. Three consecutive singles loaded the bases, before a one-out single ended the game giving the Yellow Jackets a 3-2 win. It was the third consecutive game between the two teams that ended with a 3-2 score. Nation Ford finished the season at 16-7 overall.
Nation Ford came into the game facing the tall task of needing to sweep a possible doubleheader against TL Hanna to advance to the Upper State bracket.
After winning game one, Nation Ford picked up in game two where they left off in the first game scoring in the first inning. Makayla Bess singled with one out in the first inning and then scored on a Paizlei Ross triple. Abigail Loser would then drive in Ross with a single to give the Falcons a 2-0 lead after their half of the first inning.
TL Hanna got one back in the bottom of the first to cut the Falcons lead in half and then tied the game in the bottom of the sixth.
Nation Ford pitcher Kailey Alston, who got the start in game one, also got the start in game two and was just as strong. Alston went six innings in game two allowing three runs on seven hits, while walking one and striking out four.
Tori Baldino went 2-3 at the plate to lead Nation Ford, as Ross and Loser each went 1-3 with RBIs in the game two loss.
In game one, no one was able to get a run across until the third inning when Nation Ford scored twice. Jill Hennessy doubled scoring courtesy runner Ella Witkopf to put the Falcons on top. Baldino then singled to score Hennessy as Nation Ford went up 2-0.
TL Hanna came back to tie the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth inning before Nation Ford grabbed the lead in the top of the seventh. Brooke Ressler doubled to start things off and Alston singled to get the game winning hit and drive Ressler in. Alston went 1-2 with an RBI and pitched a complete game in game one going seven innings allowing two runs on four hits, while not allowing a walk and striking out six.
May 8 Roundup
The only other local playoff game that was set to be played Wednesday was the Catawba Ridge baseball team taking on Greenwood at home. However, the Wednesday evening storms that came through caused the game to be cancelled and will be made up at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
