PRAIRIE GROVE -- The Farmington Lady Cardinals (9-4, 2-0) took a couple of innings to get their offense rolling April 8 in their 4A-1 showdown with Prairie Grove played on the Tigers' home field.
However, once their bats heated up they proved nearly unstoppable as they dispatched the host Tigers 12-2.
The Cardinals utilized timely hitting and aggressive base running to put-up 4 runs in both the third and fourth innings, and then scored 3 more runs in the sixth frame and added a final run in their portion of the seventh stanza. That proved to be more than enough cushion for Farmington pitcher Jordin Smith (8-3), who went 7 innings, giving up 2 runs (1 ER), on just 2 hits, with 6 strikeouts, 2 base-on-balls and 1 hit batter.
"We got some key base hits behind some excellent pitching from Jordin Smith," said Cardinals' coach Randy Osnes. "I thought we played very well defensively behind her and I thought we were aggressive on the offensive side of things."
Tiger pitcher Madison Skelton (7IP, 12 runs, 12 hits, 1K, 1BB, 1HBP) ran into trouble in the third frame when she beaned Smith, then walked Oakley Sisemore. Courtney Bodine (running for Smith) and Sisemore moved into scoring position on a passed ball then Bodine scored on a bunt single by Sara Beth Jones.
Sisemore and Jones then crossed the plate when Paige Purifoy's lined a ball into right field. Purifoy would eventually score on an illegal pitch, making the score 4-0.
Three consecutive singles by Smith, Bethany Doty and Sisemore loaded the base for the Cardinals in the fourth inning. Jones followed with a 2 RBI shot to right field and Sisemore also scored on the play by taking advantage of Prairie Grove's inattentiveness. Brooke Larkin plated Jones with a single to left field, swelling the lead to 8-0.
The Tigers nibbled into Farmington's lead with 2 runs in their portion of the fourth frame. Allison Skelton reached first after being hit by a Smith offering, then her sister, Madison, reached on a Cardinal error. Both Skeltons moved into scoring position on a fielder's choice then scored when Parker Lopez scorched a single into left field, coupled with a Cardinal throwing error which made the score 8-2.
Sisemore, Jones and Purifoy all had singles and scored runs in the sixth inning and Sisemore also had an RBI single in the seventh which brought the final score to 12-2.
"This is a rival game and all that kind of stuff and I think we kind of felt the pressure which led to some of our mistakes," said Tigers' coach Dustin Beck. "But that's not to take anything from Farmington; they played a great game."
On offense, the Cardinals were led by Jones (3 for 4, 3 RS, 3 RBIs) and Sisemore (3 for 4, 3 RS, 1 RBI) with 3 hits apiece. Purifoy (2 for 4, 2 RS, 2 RBIs) had 2 hits, while Larkin, Smith, Doty and Lauren Blackburn all finished with a hit apiece. Lopez went 1 for 3 with an RBI for the Tigers and Kidd finished with 1 hit in the losing effort.
Sports on 04/16/2014