Strong Sixth Inning Lifts Lady Titans To Victory Over Southwestern
The Harrodsburg Herald/Jordan Axsom
Ashley Howard made the catch to get the out at first base during the Lady Titans’ loss to Collins on Monday, April 24.
Wade Lane
Herald Staff
The Mercer County Lady Titans stole the lead late and defeated Southwestern 9-7 on Saturday, April 22. Mercer came off a 3-8 loss to the Dragons of Green County earlier that day, wanted to win and strike an even .500 on the day.
In the top of the first inning, Mercer’s batting performance looked promising with the top three in the order all receiving hits. Mercers, Hannah Beasley, got the Titans started with a double to left field, followed by a single to left field by Mia Floro. With two runners on, one of Mercer’s few seniors, Kallise Gammon, down in the count 0-2, hit a home run over the center field wall and put Mercer up 3-0 in the top of the first. The top of the first came to an end shortly, after two strikeouts and a lineout back to the pitcher. The backside of the first ended fast, as Mercer went three up-three down with two ground-outs and a strikeout by Ella Davis, who started in the circle for the Titans. Mercer was up 3-0 after one inning.
The Lady Titans started out the second with two strikeouts and two singles by Haylee Ransdell and Beasley, who had already doubled in the game. Floro recorded another single, and drove in a run for Mercer, extending the lead to 4-0. The top of the second ended on a flyout and sent Mercer to the field. Once again, they managed to go three up-three down, sending the game to the third inning.
In the third, pitching was strong for both teams and both went three up-three down.
In the fourth inning, Mercer’s lead was extended to five runs after a couple of hits from the hot bats. Haylee Ransdell hit a double on a line drive back up to the center field. With two outs, and a runner on second, Beasley, who was 2-2 in the game, hit another single, this time to left field, which brought in a runner and extended their lead to 5-0. Another single from Floro kept Mercer alive, but a ground-out ended Mercer’s half of the inning. In the bottom of the fourth, Southwestern turned things around and hit four straight singles to score two runs. Two sacrifice hits scored two more, but a ground-out ended Southwestern’s big inning. The score at the end of the fourth was 5-4, Mercer’s lead.
In the top of the fifth inning, Mercer started off with a double by Ashley Howard but failed to convert, and ended with three straight outs. Southwestern, came off a big inning and looked to continue hitting. The first batter was walked, followed by a double, Southwestern added more singles and scored three more runs and took the lead, 7-5 going into the sixth.
Mercer looked to retake the lead and was in need of some good at-bats. Mercer started out with two singles, but then Mercer hits into a double play, leaving one on. Gammon, who already had one home run, stepped up to the plate and sent another home run shot to center field, which tied the game, 7-7. Mercer wasn’t done yet. Two more singles and a double extended the lead, 9-7. The seventh inning was a quick three up-three down for both teams, ending the game.
