Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

CHESAPEAKE — The Chesapeake Lady Panthers didn’t have to wait until after the game for the storm to hit.

Jordan Storms struck during the game as she went 3-for-3 with a double and a key two-run homer as the Lady Panthers scored a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to edge the Portsmouth Lady Trojans 5-4 on Wednesday.

Brooke Webb benefited from the Chesapeake offense. She went the distance striking out 14 and allowing just five hits to get the win. She did not walk a batter.

“We had good pitching and clutch hitting. Both teams played well. It was an exciting game,” said Chesapeake coach Aaron Rice.

Portsmouth took a 3-0 lead in the first inning but Chesapeake got a run back in the third when Storms doubled and Kelsey Huff singled.

The Lady Panthers tied the game in the fourth when Brianna Russell singled and Storms belted her two-run homer.

The Lady Trojans took a 4-3 lead in the top of the fifth, but the Lady Panthers tied the game in their half of the inning.

Laura Rice walked, moved up on a passed ball and scored on Melanie Noble’s base hit and set the stage for the dramatic finish.

In the seventh, Webb reached on an error, Ryleigh Swann walked and Lyric Bair singled on the head of the centerfielder’s head against a drawn-in outfield.

Russell went 2-3 with a double as Chesapeake had nine hits.

Chesapeake visit Ironton on Friday.

Portsmouth 300 010 0 = 4 5 1

Chesapeake 001 210 1 = 5 9 1

Andi Queen and Bailey Horsley. Brooke Webb and Kelsey Huff. W-Webb (K-14, BB-0). L-Queen (K-4, BB-4). Hitting–Portsmouth: Baleigh Bradley 1-4, Sharia Kearns 1-3, Tinker 1-3 HR, Queen 1-3, Spence 1-1 2B; Chesapeake: Kelsey Huff 1-4, Brooke Webb 1-4, Melanie Noble 1-4, Lyric Bair 1-4, Brianna Russell 2-3 2B, Jordan Storms 3-3 HR 2B.