The Fairfield Lady Lions (10-5, 6-3 SHAC) defeated the East Clinton Lady Astros (7-6) 8-7 in a hotly contested game played Saturday at the Fairfield Baseball/Softball complex.
Fairfield would build a 7-1 lead heading into the sixth inning, but East Clinton would rally in the sixth and seventh inning to tie the score 7-7. But the Lady Lions would win the game in dramatic fashion as Megan Gragg’s walk off single drove home Allissa Hester running for Taylor Lawson with the game ending run.
Both teams put on a hitting clinic as East Clinton would collect 12 hits and Fairfield would amass 14 hits. Kaiti White picked up her ninth victory of the season.
East Clinton would score a run in the top of the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead. With one out, Makayla Smith reached first on an error. Mackenzie Campbell had an infield single and Kayla Hall would also reach first on an error as Smith scored.
Fairfield would tie the score 1-1 with a run in the bottom of the second inning. With one out, Lauren Arnold doubled down the right field line and scored on a base hit to centerfield off the bat of Taylor Lawson.
The Fairfield Lady Lions would bat around in the bottom of the third inning to score 5 runs. Megan Gragg had an infield single to lead off the inning and Madi Fox followed with a bunt single. Gragg would score on a throwing error on the play as Fox took second base. Lyndee Spargur was safe on a fielder’s choice.
One out later, Kaiti White doubled to knock in Fox and advance Spargur to third base. Layla Hattan singled to centerfield to drive in Spargur. Lauren Arnold followed with a single to right field to drive in Megan Crum running for White and Layla Hattan.
Fairfield would threaten to put the game away in the bottom of the fourth inning loading the bases. But East Clinton got out of the jam with no runs crossing the plate.
The Fairfield Lady Lions would take a 7-1 lead with a run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Taylor Lawson singled to lead off the inning and Hayleigh Lowe laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Lawson to second base.
Lawson advanced to third base as Megan Gragg grounded out to the right side of the infield, and scored on an infield single by Madi Fox.
The Lady Astros would rally to score four runs and cut the margin to 7-5. In the inning, Alyssa Stoops singled, Taylor Boeckmann had bunt single, Makayla Smith was safe on a dropped fly in the outfield, Mackenzie Campbell doubled, and Jericka Boggs doubled.
East Clinton would come all the back to tie the score 7-7 with 2 runs in the top of the seventh inning. Grace Cooper would lead off the inning and was safe on an infield error. One out later, Alyssa Stoops reached first base on a dropped third strike as Cooper advanced to third base.
Taylor Boeckmann was walked intentionally to load the bases. Kaiti White would then get a big strikeout for the second out of the inning. But Mackenzie Campbell doubled to left centerfield to tie the score driving in Cooper and Stoops. But Lady Lion centerfielder got to the ball quickly returned it to the infield preventing Boeckmann from scoring the go ahead run. Kaiti White would retire the next batter to keep the score at 7-7.
Fairfield Lady Lion designated player Taylor Lawson stepped to the plate to lead off the bottom of the seventh inning and promptly singled up the middle to put the go head run on base. It was her third hit of the game. Allissa Hester entered the game to run for Taylor Lawson.
One out later, Megan Gragg stepped to the plate and singled to right centerfield and Allissa Hester scored all the way from first base with the game ending run.
Leading hitters for the Lady Lions: Lyndee Spargur (1 for 4, 1 run), Carli Reiber (0 for 3, walk), Kaiti White (3 for 4, double, 1 run, 1 rbi), Layla Hattan (1 for 4, 1 run, 1 rbi), Lauren Arnold (2 for 4, double, 1 run, 2 rbi), Taylor Lawson ( 3 for 4, 1 rbi), Megan Gragg (2 for 4, 1 run, 1 rbi), Madi Fox (1 for 2, 1 run, 1 rbi), Gracie Lawson (1 for 1, 1 rbi).
Leading hitters for the Lady Astros: Taylor Boeckmann (3 for 4, double, 1 run), Mackenzie Campbell (3 for 5, double, 1 run, 5 rbi), Kayla Hall (2 for 4, double), Alyssa Stoops (2 for 4, 2 runs).
Kaiti White (9-4) was the winning pitcher for Faifield : 7 innings, 12 hits, 7 runs, 3 earned runs, 2 walks, and 8 strikeouts. MacKenzie Campbell suffered the loss for East Clinton. Campbell’s pitching line: 4 innings, 7 hits, 2 run, 2 earned runs, 2 walk, and 2 strikeouts. Sierra Christian’s pitching line: 2.3 innings, 7 hits, 6 runs, 6 earned runs, no walks, 1 strikeout.
The Fairfield Lady Lions will host the The Manchester Lady Greyhounds on Monday, April 23rd. We will complete the game suspended on April 7th, then play the regularly scheduled game. Game time is slated for 5:00 PM.
04-23-18 M vs Manchester * 5:00
04-24-18 T at Huntington JV 5:00
04-25-18 W at Williamsburg 5:00
04-26-18 R vs Whiteoak * 5:00 Senior Night