MOVING ON TO NEXT ROUND: Lady Bobcats open tournament with big wins
Published 12:05 am Saturday, May 12, 2018
- Loryn Praytor’s inside-the-park home run helped lead the Lady Bobcats to the win on Friday. Josh Dutton/Star-News
The Opp Lady Bobcats came out strong winning their first two games on Friday in the opening round of the Class 3A South Regional tournament in Gulf Shores.
OPP 5,
CLARKE COUNTY 2
The Opp Lady Bobcats advanced to the second day of the Class 3A South Regional tournament in Gulf Shores after knocking off Clarke County 5-2 in the opening round on Friday.
In the top of the first inning, Clarke County got a pair of two-out base runners, but Graceanne Spears got Tamiya Dixon to fly out to Hannah Wismer for the final out of the inning.
Loryn Praytor singled with one-out in the bottom of the first inning and then quickly stole second.
The throw down to second sailed wide and Praytor advanced to third, but the Lady Bobcats would leave her stranded.
In the top of the third inning, Clarke County used a couple of hits to take a 2-0 lead.
Maggie Short got things started for the Lady Bobcats in the bottom of the third inning when she singled with two outs in the frame.
Praytor then laced a ball to a gap in the outfield and turned on the after burners as she raced around the bases for an inside-the-park home run to tie the game.
The Lady Bobcats would then grab the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Anna Beth Kendrick reached on a one-out single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Graci Kidd.
Wismer followed with a bunt single that allowed Kendrick to score from second to put the Lady Bobcats on top 3-2.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Short doubled to get things going for the Lady Bobcats.
After Praytor moved Short over on an error, Short came around to score on a wild pitch.
Spears followed with a sacrifice bunt that allowed Praytor to score the final run of the game.
OPP 4,
PROVIDENCE 3
The Lady Bobcats advanced to the Class 3A South Regional after holding off Providence Christian in the final inning for a 4-3 win.
Short got things started for the Lady Bobcats with a single in the top of the first inning.
After stealing second, Short came around to score on a single from Praytor to put the Lady Bobcats on top 1-0.
Providence Christian took advantage of a couple of errors in the bottom of the second inning and tied the game.
In the top of the third inning, Praytor’s strong day at the plate continued as picked up a one-out double.
Ariyon Hightower then blasted a home run to give the Lady Bobcats a 3-1 lead.
The Lady Bobcats added to their lead in the top of the fourth inning when Short drove in Jewel Robinson with a one-out double.
Providence Christian pushed a little closer after scoring a run in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Providence Christian inched even close when a two-out hit drove in a run in the bottom of the seventh.
Providence Christian then loaded the bases, but then the Lady Bobcats got the next batter to pop out to Rylie Walker at first base for the final out of the game.
The Lady Bobcats will play Geneva in the South Regional championship game today at 10:30 a.m.