Softball Drops Late-Season Matchup Against CBC

Softball Drops Late-Season Matchup Against CBC-Wil Teague, Sports Information Director, 4/16/24

Crowley's Ridge Softball (17-13) was bested twice by the Lady Mustangs of Central Baptist College (24-16) as CBC claimed the opening contest with a shutout win before stealing game two from CRC with a late-inning homerun. 

Game One: (6-innings)

Crowley's Ridge- 0

Central Baptist- 8

Paragould, Ark.-  The visiting Mustangs held CRC scoreless in the opening contest but not from the lack of base runners as CRC left six Lady Pioneers stranded on the base path. Trailing 3-0, CRC found themselves on the verge of fighting back against the CBC offense as CRC loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the third, but the Pioneers would leave the inning without scoring as CBC forced a groundout to escape the danger zone. The Pioneers scattered out four hits in the loss with seniors Shelby Elrod, Hannah Burk, Dru Bryant, and junior Brooklyn Melson each smacking out a base-knock. Elrod took her fifth loss of the year going 6.0 innings, allowing twelve Mustang hits on which they scored eight runs (five earned) while walking two and striking out two. 

Game Two: 

Crowley's Ridge- 4

Central Baptist- 5

Paragould, Ark.- In the second contest, junior Bailey Cupples stole the spotlight as the Kennett, MO native raked in three of CRC's four runs going (2-3) with a solo HR in the matchup. Cupples gave CRC their first run of the day in the bottom of the fourth as the outfielder smashed her fourth homer of the year with a moonshot over dead-away center, matching CBC's lone run on the scoreboard. The Mustangs responded in turn by retaking the lead the following inning, putting the pressure back on the Pioneer offense who trailed the visiting team for the second time.  Fortunately, CRC didn't waver as junior Ashton Drake led off the bottom of the fifth by doubling down the right field line, placing the tying run in scoring position. After a pinch-runner substitute, Jocelyn Villarreal's fly out to deep center allowed quick-footed freshman Hadlee DeFries to move up to third base setting up senior Dru Bryant to claim the RBI as the Oklahoma native executed the gutsy squeeze bunt, scoring DeFries. This time, CRC didn't settle for the tie but took its first lead over CBC two batters later as Cupples delivered again for her team with a clutch two-out, two RBI single to left center. With the wind at the backs, CRC entered the sixth looking for three quick outs but painfully CRC found three Mustangs runs instead. After collecting two outs, the Mustangs hammered out three consecutive hits with the last being a game-deciding three-run homer giving Pioneer fans the final score line as CBC held on to the third lead change, defeating CRC. CRC produced four runs of seven hits. Brooklyn Melson joined Cupples in the multi-hit club as the junior went (2-3) in the setback contest. Halea Wells went the distance for CRC surrendering five runs (four earned) on nine hits while walking one in 7.0 innings.

Up Next:  CRC Softball will travel to Lawrence, KS to take on CAC opponent Haskell University on Friday, April 19th. #GOPIONEERS