Defense keys Lady Dragons

Published 2:40 am Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PROCTORVILLE — Getting rid of the bad inning provided good results for the Fairland Lady Dragons.

After a dismal defensive game on Monday, the Lady Dragons bounced back with a strong defensive game as they beat the Portsmouth Clay Lady Panthers 4-1 Tuesday.

“We played well tonight. We had only one error. We didn’t have that typical one bad inning. And Allison (Shepherd) pitched a great game,” said Fairland coach Mindy Clark.

“(Mackenzie) Riley did a great job. She hit the ball well.”

Riley was 2-3 with a double and three runs batted in. Shepherd allowed six hits, struck out one, walked one and faced just 26 batters.

The Lady Panthers (10-4) got their only run in the first inning when Danielle Cline doubled and Rachel Cooper singled.

Fairland (5-7) took a 2-1 lead in the third.

Caitlin Stone doubled, Ellen Hinshaw was hit by a pitch and Stone stole third base and scored on a throwing error.

Hinshaw went to third on the play and scored when Riley singled.

Fairland added two insurance runs in the fifth.

Stone and Mollie Morris singled and Riley belted a one-out, two-run double.

Ports. Clay 100 000 0 = 1 6 3

Fairland 002 020 x = 4 7 1

Danielle Cline and Jessica Moore. Allison Shepherd and Mollie Morris. W-Shepherd (K-1, BB-1, HBP-1). L-Cline (K-5, BB-1). Hitting-Clay: Danielle Cline 1-3, Rachel Cooper 1-3 rbi, Gabby Hickman 2-2, Akyah Downey 1-3, Mekayla Osborne 1-2; Fairland: Caitlin Stone 2-3 rbi-2, Mollie Morris 1-3, Ellen Hinshaw 1-2, Mackenzie Riley 2-3 rbi-3, Tiffani Christian 1-3. 2B-Clay: Danielle Cline, Gabby Hickman, Akyah Downey; Fairland: Mackenzie Riley.