Down 5-0 Late In The Game Against Orangeburg Prep, Clarendon Hall Scores 8 Runs To Win Region Game 8-5
Clarendon Hall's senior pitcher Cali Yount allowed six hits and had five K’s in their come back win over O-P.
By Billy G. Baker
Publisher
Summerton—Now and then, in every season, a softball team will have a big lead late in a game and then lose, and such a situation happened in Orangeburg Prep’s 8-5 region loss against Clarendon Hall on March, 17.
The two teams are playing a three-game series this week, with the Saints playing at OP on Tuesday and then both teams play again on Friday (March, 21) in Summerton.
Leading 5-0, after the Indians batted in the top of the 6th inning starting OP pitcher McKenzie Johnson seemed to be tired, so another pitcher was brought in in the bottom of the six. One error, six hits, and four walks later Clarendon Hall scored 8 runs to rally for an 8-5 lead that held up for a come-from-behind win.
After the game, head Clarendon Hall coach Jeff Buys said, “One thing that I have always said about these girls is that they do not quit,” said Coach Buys. “I know we have a bunch of new girls. There is just about the girl son this team, and the program that we have developed, is that never quit and will battle you to the final out.”
Senior Mandy Wells, a five- year starter made several key plays on defense and had a couple vital hits on offense, to help the Saints win the game. “I have said this a thousand times about Mandy over her career, she is the spark of our team and you can be down and she is the player that can get you going,” said Coach Buys. “She is the one who usually delivers the big hit to get things going. Even in this game we got a few runners on and she delivered the hit to get our rally going.”
First year head coach Shaniya Thomas told the HSSR, after the game, “I hope the lesson we learn from this game is that a game is never ever over,” said Coach Thomas. “In a ball game, regardless of the score, you are fighting to the very last pitch. This game got the best of us today and hopefully we will play much better against them at home tomorrow.”
The game was score-less until O-P batted in the top of the third. Calee Hartzog reached on a single, and advanced all the way to third on a two-base throwing error. She scored on a SAC fly RBI by Natalie Hall for a 1-0 lead. Hannah Lambrecht, who had reached on a walk scored the Indians second run on an error as O-P led 2-0 after three innings.
In the top of the 6th, O-P went ahead 5-0, on two hits, two stolen bases, a walk and one fielder’s choice. Preston Schurlknight singled to start things off, and then stole second. Lauren Ballew then hit a slow roller on the infield and the throw to get Schurlknight breaking hard for third was late, making both runners were safe. Senior shortstop Jane Walker Yonce then earned an RBI with an infield single to score Schurlknight making it 3-0.
O-P’s next batter was Jayme Culler put the ball in play and two runs scored on a fielding error to make it 5-0 in the top of the 6th.
In the bottom of the sixth inning Clarendon Hall faced Ballew who came in to relieve Johnson. The first batter for CH was Mandy Wells who reached on an error and she advanced to second when the ball got pass the catcher. Maggie Harrington then walked and stole second to put runners at second and third with no outs.
The Saints starter, and complete game pitcher, Cali Yount, singled to score Wells to make it 5-1. Senior catcher Skylar Dymond doubled in two runs to make 5-3 and then O-P walked four straight batters to tie the score at 5. O-P put in Schurlknight to pitch with the bases loaded.
Clarendon Hall then got four straight singles to take an 8-5 lead after six complete innings. Harrington and Wells each had RBI singles as 13 batters came to the plate for the Saints in the bottom of the 6th.
Yount forced O-P into three straight ground-outs in the top of the 7th to preserve the 8-5 win.
Yount allowed six hits and had five K’s for the game.
