FARMINGTON -- The Lady Cardinals were 5 outs away from advancing to the 5A West Conference tournament championship after a home-run by Brandy Wallace gave them a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning.
But, they didn't get there. Vilonia's Sydney Johnson blasted a two-run triple into right field then beat a throw home on a sacrifice bunt to help Vilonia (19-8) hand Farmington (22-8) a 3-1 loss Friday in the 5A-West semifinals.
Farmington left a pair of runners on base in the first and second innings. In the first, Farmington had only one out, but had back-to-back miscues in the batter's box with a pop-up caught by Vilonia's catcher and a called strike-3. An identical situation presented another opportunity for the Lady Cardinals in the second, but Farmington couldn't cash in their chips. A pop-up to second was followed by a a fly-out to right field.
"We put runners on, we popped it, we ground-out, and we swing at a bad pitch," said Farmington coach Randy Osnes. "We had runners on third and second with one out in the first inning and couldn't score. They were the better team today."
Vilonia threatened in the top of the fifth when Taylor Lawrence posted a leadoff single past first base. She went to second on a passed-ball, but Farmington starter Paige Devecsery induced a fly-ball and Skylar Lee hit into a 9-6 double play with a runner gunned out at second after starting for third. A pop-up to Anna Bennett, playing shortstop ended the inning.
Farmington wasted base-runners in the fifth after Wallace parked her solo shot over the center field wall. Callie Harper got aboard and was replaced by pinch-runner Kally Stout, who raced to third on Carley Antwine's single. Antwine was aggressive, she went to second on the throw to third, putting a pair of runners in scoring position. Again, Farmington could not push a run across. A ground-out to third base brought up a second out. For an instant, Farmington looked like they might crack the egg when Madison Parrish's grounder bounced past Vilonia relief pitcher Paige Kelley, but the shortstop threw her out at first.
Trouble came in the top of the sixth. Callie Eary reached on a bunt single. Abby Hightower singled into center field. The ball was bobbled momentarily taking away a chance for a play at second. Sydney Johnson then lined a 3-2 pitch past first base and into the corner to put Vilonia ahead as two runs scored. Sydney Johnson padded the lead to 3-1 when she scored on a sacrifice bunt by Kortanie Ruhland.
Vilonia coach Kevin Sullivan reinserted starter Tori Wilbanks, who he had pulled after the fourth. She induced a ground-out and fly-out before Harper cranked a double to the wall in left center field. The game ended on a fly-out.
Vilonia had only 3 hits coming into the sixth against Devecsery, who allowed 3 runs on 7 hits with 5 strike-outs in 6.2 innings pitched. Wallace had a home-run and a single to lead Farmington, which had 8 hits to Vilonia's 7. Vilonia committed 3 errors and Farmington was charged with 2.
With the win, Vilonia advanced to Saturday's championship game against Greenbrier while Farmington dropped into a consolation game versus Alma. The outcome of those games determined seeding for State 5A tournament play.
"They got runners on base with out and two outs, then put the ball in play," Osnes said. "They put runners on, then moved them around. Offensively, they were the better team, today."
Sports on 05/10/2017