PRAIRIE GROVE -- The Lady Tigers scored a 13-3 run-rule victory over Elkins March 28, winning their first game after resuming play after a week layoff for spring break.
"I'm pretty happy with the way we adjusted, we adjusted well at the plate," said Prairie Grove coach Dustin Beck.
Elkins led 2-0 going into the bottom of the third inning when the adjustments began to have an impact. Kylie Scott was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Facing an 0-2 count, Ali Edgar reached on an error and two runs scored to tie the game. Maddie Stearman then helped her cause. She singled to drive in a go-ahead run and the Lady Tigers found themselves in front, 3-2. They would not trail again.
In the fourth, Stearman retired the Elks in order with a ground-out and a strike-out, followed by a base-running error when Elkins' Morgan Caler was tagged out at third trying to stretch out a triple.
Reagan Rochier started the fourth with a leadoff single for Prairie Grove. Madison Vinson reached on an error and Rochier scored. The scenario repeated with Katharine McConnell getting on board due to an Elkins' error with a run scoring and Prairie Grove led 5-2. Elkins had all sorts of problems in the inning. Anna Kidd walked and Arianna Pickett reached on an error with another run scoring for the Lady Tigers. After a second out, Stearman drove in two runs with a line-drive single into left field. Liberty Kidd added an RBI with a stand-up double putting Prairie Grove out front, 9-2.
Allison Coleman started an Elkins' rally with a leadoff single in the top of the fifth. After a pop-up and a fly-out, Dugan Lyndsey's RBI double brought in the final Elks' run making the score, 9-3. Prairie Grove left a runner stranded in their half of the inning and Elkins coach Chris VanAmburg tried to rally his troops.
"Let's go, keep scratching, we got two more chances at it," VanAmburg said. "A couple of base-running things, never make the first or third out at third base."
Laney Layman came on in relief and didn't give Elkins much of a chance. She induced a pop-up and a ground-out to first, then gave up a single to Caler, but got a grounder to third to finish the inning. Prairie Grove polished off the Elks with 4 runs in the sixth. Edgar started the run with a single down the third base line. She went to third when Layman bunted and reached on an error. Another bunt by Liberty Kidd loaded the bases for Rochier, who smacked an RBI single. An Elkins error allowed two more runs to score and Scott ended the game by driving in the 13th run on a ground-out.
"I definitely thought we played really well all day," Beck said. "Our pitching was good. You are always worried about how you will play coming back off the break. We did pretty good. I was pleased."
Prairie Grove defeated Greenland 13-0 Thursday. Edgar went 3 for 3 with a home-run and 3 RBIs. Scott was also 3 for 3 with a double and 2 RBIs. Pickett was 1 for 2 with a double and an RBI. Anna Kidd, McConnell and Stearman each drove in a run apiece. The Lady Tigers had 11 stolen bases led by Scott with four. Layman picked up the win in the circle, allowing one hit with 5 strikeouts in 5 innings of work.
The Lady Tigers lost 5-0 to Gravette on Friday, bringing their season record to 11-4 overall and 4-2 in conference play.
Sports on 04/05/2017