Lady Dragons open tourney with win over Lady Hornets

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, May 11, 2004

PROCTORVILLE - The idea of tournament play is to advance. Well, the Fairland Lady Dragons advanced.

Fairland used the combined one-hit pitching of Megan Auxier and Taylor Lundy to beat the Coal Grove Lady Hornets 9-2 Monday in the Division III sectional tournament.

"When it comes to the tournament, you're always happy with any win," Fairland coach Leroy Baise said.

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Auxier struck out six and did not walk a batter or allow a hit in going the first four innings.

Deana Sherman singled in the sixth inning for the only Coal Grove hit.

The Lady Dragons took a 2-0 lead in the first inning.

Megan Fisher singled, stole second, took third on a passed ball and came home when Kate Nida grounded out. Kelly Curry singled, stole second and scored on a hit by Auxier.

Fairland added a run in the second inning when Erika Smoot singled, advanced on two passed balls and scored when Fisher singled.

The Lady Dragons erupted for five runs in

the third inning.

Curry singled, stole second and third and scored when Auxier was safe on an error. Auxier stole second, moved up on a passed ball, Ashley Ward walked, and Smoot grounded out as a run scored.

Mandy Clark and Allison Hager walked to load the bases, Fisher singled in a run. Nida and Lundy walked to force home two runs.

The final Fairland run scored in the fourth when Berry doubled and Marie Stewart singled.

Fisher was 3-3, Curry 2-2 and Auxier 2-4 for the Lady Dragons.

"We hit the ball well and did a good job of taking care of business. Everyone contributed," Baise said.

Fairland, 16-5, hosts Symmes Valley Tuesday and then entertains Wheelersburg Thursday in the sectional finals. Wheelersburg topped Ironton 8-1.

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Alison Roach, Hannah Willis (3) and Ashley Drummond. Megan Auxier, Taylor Lundy (5) and Erika Smoot, Kate Nida (5). W-Auxier (6-K, 0-W). L-Roach. 2B-Fairland: Kristen Berry. 3B-Fairland: Megan Auxier. Hitting-Coal Grove: Deana Sherman 1-1; Fairland: Megan Fisher 3-3, Kelly Curry 2-2, Megan Auxier 2-4, Kristen Berry 1-2, Erika Smoot 1-2, Allison Hager 1-2, Marie Stewart 1-1.