By Bobby Mathews, Sports Editor
OXFORD — Springville clawed its way back into the game against Mortimer Jordan after falling behind 9-0 early in the first round of the AHSAA 6A softball tournament here on Tuesday, May 17.
But a sacrifice fly by Riley Ruple that scored Leah Bowden and tied the game at 10-10 was nearly the last gasp for the Tigers, as they fell 16-11 in a seven-inning game that lasted nearly two-and-a-half hours.
Springville got on the board with a five-run second inning that put them back in the ballgame. With two outs, Ashlynn Cooley singled to move Camile Gunter — running for Shelby Hathcock — to second. Ruple was hit by a pitch, and then Bekah Hargrove walked to walk Gunter in.
Makayln Kyser doubled on a line drive to center to score Cooley, Ruple and Hargrove. That made it 9-4, and then Tori Barnes singled to score Kyser.
Leah Bowden singled in the bottom of the third to keep the Tigers’ momentum going. Cooley walked, and so did Ruple. Kyser then walked to score Bowden and make it a two-run game, 9-7.
Mortimer Jordan added a run to make it 10-7 going into the bottom of the fourth.
That’s when Bella Bullington singled to get aboard and Bradshaw singled to move her over. Bowden walked to load the bases, and Cooley singled to score Bullington and Bradshaw, and advance Bowden to third. It was 10-9 and set up Ruple’s sac fly to tie the game.
But Springville’s momentum couldn’t hold. Mortimer Jordan added a run in the top of the fifth, then quieted the Tiger bats in order in the bottom of the inning.
Disaster struck for Springville in the top of the sixth as Mortimer Jordan added five more runs.
Kyser tripled as the Tigers tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh. Bullington drove her in with a single, but Springville could get no closer. Final: 16-11, Mortimer Jordan.
The Tigers play next at 2:15 p.m. today in the elimination bracket on Field 4 against Robertsdale.