Lady Pioneers Split in Tennessee

Lady Pioneers Split in Tennessee- Wil Teague, Sports Information Director, 2-12-23

Crowley's Ridge- 5

Lane College-4 

Jackson, TN- Due to the dooming weather for the matchup at home against Lane College on February, 14th, the Lady Pioneers traveled to Jackson, TN today to take on the Dragons in a doubleheader on their turf. In game one the Pioneers' lead-off hitter, and starting pitcher, Shelby Elrod would get the game started with a single on a fly ball to centerfield but despite this start, the Pioneers bats couldn't bring her in leaving her stranded on base. In the bottom of the first, the Dragons would do what the Pioneers failed to do, score their leadoff runner to take the 1-0 lead. No team would push a run across in the second inning, but Lane broke the silence by getting two runs in before the Pioneer defense would end the inning. Top of the fourth looked promising for the 'Neers as they ripped back-to-back singles from Brooklyn Melson and Hannah Burk to kick things off, but the Dragons then retired the next three Pioneers leaving two more stranded on base. Once more the game would go quiet and Lane would break the silence. In the bottom of the 5th Lane scored their fourth run with a sac fly to center field taking a 4-0 lead. The big break CRC needed finally came through in the PIoneers' last inning. Better late than never, am I right? In the top of the 7th, 2 HBP's and one walk loaded the bases for Natlaie Brightwell to clobber a ground ball to centerfield scoring two and getting the PIoneers on the board. Kourtni Jageaux then drew a walk to reload the bases for the second time this inning. Brooklyn Melson would hit a sac fly to left field scoring the third run of the inning with  Maddie Reed tagging from third. With two outs now, Hannah Burk singled to once more lead the bases, allowing Jocelyn Villarreal to double down the left field line and score two ending the CRC run and retaking the lead over the Dragons with a 5-run inning. For the second time this season, Shelby Elrod took the mound to go the distance for the Pioneers as she pulled through retiring the next three Dragons giving CRC the 5-4 win. 

Leaders: Pitching

Elrod: 7.0 inn., 9 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 6 SO

Leaders: Hitting

CRC had 5 runs on 8 hits. Burk led the team with 2 hits. Brightwell and Villarreal both collected 2 RBIs. 

Game Two:

Crowley's Ridge- 3

Lane College- 11

Jackson, TN- In game two the Pioneers would get off to a rough start, falling behind early. The Dragons busted open the game with a huge 7-run inning in the bottom of the first, taking the demanding lead. CRC looked to answer in the next inning by Hannah Burk stroking a single and then stealing 2nd on a passed ball. Jocelyn Villareal matched her game-one performance with a second double, this one scored Burk to get the Pioneers on the scoreboard. The Pioneers would make a pitching change and with Natalie Brightwell, in the circle, the CRC defense would hold the Dragons scoreless for the bottom of the 2nd. At the top of the third CRC caught a break with Elrod getting on by hitting a single and then advancing to third on a throwing error. Maddie Reed then scores Elrod with a bunt. Dru Bryant then reached first on a throwing error allowing Reed to move to third. Hannah Burk's bat stayed hot as she then grounded out to 2nd base but got Reed to the plate. The Pioneers end their run trailing 7-3. What gave the Dragons the win was their second big inning of the matchup. In the bottom of the 5th, Lane pushed across 4 more runs ending the game with a home run, beating the Pioneers in 5 inns. 3-11.  

Leaders: Pitching

Halea Wells 0.2 inn., 7 H, 6 R, 0 BB 0 SO

Natalie Brightwell 4.0 inn., 10 H, 5 R, 0 BB, 2 SO, 1 HR

Leaders: Hitting

CRC mustered 6 hits. Hannah Burk and Jocelyn Villareal led with two hits each. 

Up Next:

Softball travels to Bethany, OK to take on Southwest Christian on Friday, February 17th.