Midway Lady Waves Fall Short in Comeback Attempt
By Terry Futrell
After falling behind the Oliver Springs Lady Cats 7-1 in the third inning, the Midway Lady Waves were down 8-3 going into the top of the seventh. With much grit and determination, Midway closed the gap to 8-5 and had the tying run at the plate. Not to be outdone, Oliver Springs infielders threw out two Lady Wave baserunners in succession, securing their 8-5 victory over Midway in the opening round of the District 3-A double elimination tournament on May 6.
Despite singles by Sophie Patterson and Caitlyn Ross in the top of the first inning, the Lady Waves came up empty. Oliver Springs also led off with a single by Ella Hampton, who eventually scored on a fielder’s choice by Mabel Johnson to Midway third baseman Rebecca Lemasters. Midway retired the side with Oliver Springs leading 1-0.
Midway’s Macy Young singled on a fly ball to left field in the top of the second. Young was replaced by courtesy runner Laurn Bornhoeft, who scored on a single by Emma Hill, tying the game at 1-1.
The Lady Cats wasted no time in regaining the lead in the bottom of the second. Shelby Hileman singled to right field, and Faith Mckee was hit by a pitch. Breanna Broadus then doubled on a line drive to left field, scoring Hileman. A Midway error on a hard infield grounder led to both Mckee and Broadus scoring. Haley McKinney then doubled to left field. Hampton was thrown out at home, but McKinney eventually scored on another Midway error. The Lady Cats extended their lead to 5-1.
Midway pitcher Aubrie May was replaced by Sophie Patterson in the bottom of the third – May had pitched an earlier game the same day against Sunbright. After allowing two singles and striking out a batter, Patterson walked the next three Oliver Springs batters. Midway closed out the inning giving up two more runs to the Lady Cats, falling behind 7-1 after three innings.
Midway came charging back in the top of the fourth. With singles by Young and Lemasters, and aided by two Oliver Springs errors, the Lady Waves put two more runs on the board as both Young and Lemasters scored. Despite two walks by Oliver Springs batters in the bottom of the inning, the Midway defense stepped up and threw out two Lady Cats attempting to steal bases. The Oliver Springs lead was 7-3 after four innings.
Oliver Springs padded their lead to 8-3 in the bottom of the fifth on a single by Broadus and a double by Hampton.
After a scoreless sixth inning, Midway had one final opportunity for a comeback in the top of the seventh. Caitlyn Ross was hit by a pitch and Anna Bosnak walked. Aubrie May singled on a hard line drive to the pitcher, loading the bases for Midway. Young grounded into a fielder’s choice, forcing Ross out at home. Lemasters hit a grounder, and both Bosnak and May scored, cutting the Oliver Springs lead to 8-5. With the tying run at the plate, Young was caught stealing home and Lemasters was thrown out attempting to steal third, sealing the 8-5 victory for Oliver Springs.
Midway falls to the losers bracket for a Wednesday evening game. The Lady Cats face a tough Coalfield team Tuesday at 5 PM.
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