to down Trinity by one

By STEVEN G. WATSON

Sports Editor

It took four extra innings to get it, but Charles Henderson shortstop Kelly Miller got a base hit in Tuesday’s game against Trinity. It just happened to be the game-winner.

With the bases loaded and no outs in the bottom of the 11th inning, Miller stepped to the plate for the sixth time and finally got one past the Lady Wildcats’ second baseman who she had peppered with shots the whole game. It broke the 2-2 tie and ended the game.

"I think I hit it to her every time really hard and she did a really good job playing it," Miller said afterwards. "Thank goodness that one got by."

The RBI single ended the contest after numerous chances by both teams to score the go-ahead run. Both teams had runners on base in the last six innings, but both pitchers, pitching well over 150 pitches apiece, were able to hold on.

"It was a definite pitchers’ duel, no doubt about it," CHHS head coach Steve Haug said. "She’s (Martha Phillips) already signed with Auburn and is quite a pitcher, but today Betsy was the better pitcher. She had more control, hung in there longer and they had chances the last five innings to get ahead and she didn’t let them."

The Lady Trojans carried a 2-1 lead into the top of the sixth on a RBI single by Nicki Wingard in the first and a walked in run by Phillips in the third, but a single got past the outfield with a runner on first who was able to motor around and knot the score.

That’s where it stayed for five more innings – knotted at 2-2. But in the bottom of the 11th Phillips seemed to lose some of her control walking the lead off, hitting the second batter and walking the bases loaded sending Miller to the plate.

"When you get bases loaded and no outs you should get something in," Haug said. "We only got one run, but that’s all we needed I guess. It was a big clutch hit by Kelly."

There were numerous key defensive stops by the Lady Trojans. Ashley Faust made a fantastic grab in center field robbing Phillips, who was great at the plate all day for the Lady Wildcats, of a single in the fifth with two outs and a runner in scoring position.

Christie Bradley also had a busy day at third getting banged up on a couple of different plays. She got an incredible assist from right fielder Jennifer Boutwell in the top of the seventh as a ball got through the infield on an error, but on a heads up play by Boutwell the runner was gunned down at third where Bradley held her ground.

Catcher Nicki Wingard also notched a key defensive play as the Lady Wildcats got a runner on third in the top of the 10th and tried to send her home on a fake bunt and a delayed steal, but White quickly tossed it back to the catcher for the out as Wingard blocked the plate nicely.

"Defensively we’re ready," Haug said. "We just need a few more hits here and there and we’ll be in great shape."

The Lady Trojans have canceled their game with Northview in Dothan that was scheduled for Thursday and would have been their last of the regular season. Instead they will practice and prepare for the Sectional Tournament that will start in Eufaula Friday where they are the No. 1 seed. CHHS will play Russell County in first round action.