The Lady Tigers played host in a district match-up against the Cannon County Lionettes on Thursday evening. DeKalb walked away with victory, crushing the Lionettes 13-3.
In the top of the first, it was Lauren “Smiley” Colwell at the mound for the Tigerettes. Collwell’s first batter would single into shallow centerfield. The next batter walked, putting runners on first and second. While their next batter was at the plate, Colwell let a pitch get away from her and it bounced in the dirt away from catcher Tiffini Hendrixson, allowing the runners to advance to second and third. The third batter flew out to left field on a full count. The next batter for Cannon County dropped in an RBI single to right field, putting runners on the corners. The next batter would nearly replicate the previous at bat as she dropped in a RBI single of her own to left field, making the score 2-0. The next batter would hit into a double play with a line drive to second base man Annieka Norton, who threw to first base for the inning-ending out.
In the bottom off the first, Alex Meadows led of for the Lady Tigers but would ground out to the short stop. Danielle Tyson would reach first base on an error. Loren Cripps was next up to bat and flew out to right field. Tyson would move on to steal second during the at bat of Hendrixson. Later Hendrixson would blast a ball deep to centerfield good for an RBI single. Hutchings was the next batter and would end the inning with a fly out to the short stop.
In the top of the second, the first batter for Cannon knocked a double into left field. The next batter would lay down a sacrifice bunt that would advance the runner to third. Colwell struck out the next batter as she faced a full count. The fourth batter dropped in a single into right field that also drove in a run. The fifth batter would end the inning with a ground ball back to the pitcher.
In the bottom of the second, Abbey Caldwell, the lead-off batter, would ground out to third base. Colwell was up next and singled down the third baseline. Taylor Monette would fly out to short stop in her first at bat. Norton walked during her at bat, putting runners on first and second. Meadows would load the bases with an infield single. Tyson was faced with a huge opportunity with the bases loaded but had the pressure of two outs. Tyson would end the inning as she was struck out.
In the top of the third, the lead-off batter for Cannon would reach first on a line drive into right field. The next batter would fly out to second base. The next batter would attempt a bunt that was caught by catcher Hendrixson, then quickly thrown to first base for the double play.
In the bottom of the third, Cripps led off for the Lady Tigers and set the bar high as she jacked a solo homerun over the fence that would pelt the scoreboard, adding one run to their total, making it a 2-3 ball game. Hendrixson followed that up with a deep fly ball to centerfield that was fielded for an out. Hutchings would be walked on four straight pitches. Caldwell was up next and singled to right field. Colwell next hit a ground ball into a fielder’s choice and the runner was out at third. Monette would end the inning with a ground out to second.
In the top of the fourth, Colwell’s first batter was struck out swinging. The second batter would ground out to third for the second out. Colwell would walk the next batter. The fourth batter would reach first on an error. During the fifth batter’s trip to the plate, there was a wild pitch and the runner on third broke away attempting to steal home, but to no avail as she was called out at the plate due to quick reflexes by DeKalb.
In the bottom of the fourth, Norton led off with an infield single. Meadows followed with an infield single of her own to the short stop. Now with runners on first and second and no outs, Tyson had a chance to put DeKalb on top. Tyson came through with a two-run triple to deep centerfield giving the Lady Tigers the first lead of the game 4-3. Cripps would keep the hot streak alive with an RBI double into right field. Hendrixson was up next and would ground out to the short stop. Hutchings brought in a run with her double to left field, and would later steal third. Caldwell got the sign to drop down a bunt and did so perfectly, allowing a runner to score. Colwell would end the inning with a ground ball to third base.
In the top of the fifth, the Lady Tigers defense won the inning as three went up and three went down, all fly outs to the infield due to tough pitching from Colwell.
In the bottom of the fifth, Monette led off with a single to left field. Norton next and would fly out in the infield. Meadows would hit into a fielder’s choice and the runner was out at second. Tyson would end the inning with a fly out to right field.
In the top of the sixth, DeKalb’s defense again dominated the Lionettes as Colwell struck out two batters and forced a third to fly out to third base.
In the bottom of the sixth, Cripps led off with a single to dead centerfield. Hendrixson followed with a double, also landing in centerfield, putting runners on second and third. Hutchings would bring the runners home with an deep shot to right field good for a triple. Caldwell was the next batter and ripped a ball down the first baseline good for an RBI single. Colwell was up next and blasted a ball that hit the fence, but was only good for a double and advanced the runner to third. Monette would bring a run in with a double to left field. Norton was up next and hit into a sac-fly good for an RBI. Meadows would end the game with an RBI single, as the run rule went into effect and giving DeKalb the win 13-3.