By Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor
SPRINGVILLE – On Tuesday night, the Springville Lady Tigers welcomed the West Point Warriors to town for a softball game that had the potential to give them an opportunity to host the area tournament starting next Friday. In a game that saw Springville score runs in all innings except the fourth, the Lady Tigers got the win 6-3 over West Point.
Springville pitcher Shelby Hathcock
(Photo by SHS Softball)
The first inning would be Springville’s most productive as they were able to put up 2 runs after holding the Warriors scoreless in the top of the inning. Leah Bowden would get a walk to lead off followed by a Emmy Leopard double to right field that would send Bowden to third. Kiley Christopher would then hit a double of her own to bring Bowden and Leopard home to put Springville up 2-0 after one.
West Point would get on the board in the top of the second, but the Tigers would answer with a run of their own when Riley Ruple hit a line drive to left field; however, Kaylee Sue Martin would tag up and score the third run of the game for Springville.
The Warriors would fail to score in the third but Springville would keep plugging along, putting another run on the board. This time, Ashlyn Cooley would hit a single to second base, bringing Cheyenne Conner home for the score to put the Tigers up 4-1 after three innings.
The fourth would be scoreless for both teams, but in the fifth West Point would do their best to make a comeback. The Warriors put 2 runs on the board in the top of the inning. Springville would answer with a run of their own, holding on to a 5-3 lead.
West Point would be unable to score in the sixth but Springville’s Layla Bradshaw would single to left field and drive in a waiting Leopard who was on second base to make it 5-3. The sixth would be much the same as Springville would close out the scoring for the night when Ruple grounded out to second, but Martin managed to get across the plate to make it 6-3 and after shutting the Warriors out in the seventh, that would be the final.
Shelby Hathcock pitched 5 innings, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits and striking out 5 batters. Georgia Chancellor would finish things out for the Tigers, going 2 innings and allowing no hits nor runs and striking out 4 batters.
Kiley Christopher and Riley Ruple led the way at the plate with 2 RBI each.
“We put some hits together that helped generate 6 runs,” said JP Taruc, Springville’s coach. “Shelby Hathcock pitched a great game for us and Georgia Chancellor came in and finished the game. Kiley Christopher led the team with 2 RBI that gave us the lead early. Emmy Leopard and Kaylee Sue Martin hit well, going 2-3. Overall, I’m proud of my girls for doing whatever it takes to win and win as one.”
Before the playoffs begin next Friday, the 25-5-1 Tigers will take on Fairview on Thursday.
