By Cody Morris
On Friday, the 14th, the Rich Hill Tigers made the trip to Butler to take on the Lady Bears on their senior night. The Bears would begin the evening by recognizing the 5 softball seniors on this year's team; Autumn Cumpton, Gracee Lesmeister, Joleigh Barth, Kyreia Robinson and Zoey Fritts. The Bears come into the night touting a 2-6 record, with wins over Windsor and El Dorado Springs, while the Tigers brought an 1-7 record into the contest, with a win over Golden City.
Eldred began the evening on the mound for the Lady Bears once again, and recorded 3 strike-outs to bring out the bats for the Bears. In the bottom of the inning, senior Cloey Fritts was hit by pitch, followed by senior Gracie Lesmeister advancing to first after being pitched 4 balls. Following two wild pitches by the Tigers, Zoey was able to cross home plate, while Lesmeister advanced to third, where she would be left stranded. After one inning of play, the Bears led 1-0.
Eldred would continue rolling in the 2nd, striking out 2 of the batters she faced, and continuing to hold the Tigers scoreless. The Bears rallied in the second, sparked by a lead-off double off the bat of Sydney Davis. Senior Avery Cumpton took a base on balls, followed by Kyren Fisher taking a pitch to the side, and Miranda Foster taking 4 balls as well. With runners in scoring position, Brooke Miller got a 2 RBI base hit.
The pitching struggles continued in the inning, as Lesmeister was walked, followed by a 2 RBI single from Zoey Fritts. Sydney Davis stepped back to the batter's box, where she was able to reach 1st with an error by the Tigers. Autumn Cumpton was able to get a base hit before the Tiger’s got out of the inning, but the damage had already been done with the Bears now claiming a 9-0 advantage.
The Tigers swung the bats a little better in the 3rd, claiming 2 hits and scoring 2 runs. Eldred collected another strike-out in the inning. The Bears half of the inning was 3 up and 3 down, bringing the scoring total to 9-2 after 3.
In the 4th, Eldred faced four batters, and gave up 1 hit, once again holding the Tiger’s scoreless in the inning. The highlight of the inning was an inside-the-park homerun hit by Zoey Fritts. Zoey’s HR was followed up by Barth being walked, and Sydney Davis getting another base hit. Autumn Cumpton grounded out, but was able to record an RBI for her attempt. Kyren Fisher was able to get an RBI single, followed by Foster reaching on error. Miller was able to then record an RBI single of her own before the inning was retired.
Heading into the 5th, the pressure was on as the Tiger’s must score 3 runs to force a 6th inning and avoid the run rule, with a score of 14-2 heading into the inning.
The Tigers swung the bats a little better in the 3rd, claiming 2 hits and scoring 2 runs. Eldred collected another strike-out in the inning. The Bears half of the inning was 3 up and 3 down, bringing the scoring total to 9-2 after 3.
In the 4th, Eldred faced four batters, and gave up 1 hit, once again holding the Tiger’s scoreless in the inning. The highlight of the inning was an inside-the-park homerun hit by Zoey Fritts. Zoey’s HR was followed up by Barth being walked, and Sydney Davis getting another base hit. Autumn Cumpton grounded out, but was able to record an RBI for her attempt. Kyren Fisher was able to get an RBI single, followed by Foster reaching on error. Miller was able to then record an RBI single of her own before the inning was retired.
Heading into the 5th, the pressure was on as the Tiger’s must score 3 runs to force a 6th inning and avoid the run rule, with a score of 14-2 heading into the inning.
Taylor Hudson would now step into the circle for the Bears after missing a few games due to injury. Hudson walked her first couple of batters, before getting into her groove. She gave up no runs in the inning, and struck out the final batter to bring the run rule into effect. The Bears would walk away with a 14-2 victory in 4 and a half innings.
Eldred had a great night, giving up only 2 runs, on 4 hits, and recording 6 strike-outs in 3 innings. Zoey Fritts led the offensive attack for the Bears tallying 3 RBIs on 2 hits in 3 at bats, as well as picking off 2 running Tiger’s on the defensive side of things. Sydney Davis contributed with 2 hits in 3 at bats.
Eldred had a great night, giving up only 2 runs, on 4 hits, and recording 6 strike-outs in 3 innings. Zoey Fritts led the offensive attack for the Bears tallying 3 RBIs on 2 hits in 3 at bats, as well as picking off 2 running Tiger’s on the defensive side of things. Sydney Davis contributed with 2 hits in 3 at bats.
Brooke Miller was also able to grab 3 RBIs of her own on 2 hits. Kyren Fisher was able to record a hit and an RBI for the Lady Bears as well, and Barth took home an RBI.
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