Lady Pioneers’ rally falls short
MANCHESTER — The Lady Pioneer junior varsity softball team fought its way back late in the game Monday night, but the rally came too late as the Lady Pioneers fell to Coffee County, 6-2.
Coffee County scored two runs off of two hits with two out in the first to take an early 2-0 lead. WCHS put one on in the first, but couldn’t push the runner across.
In the second the Lady Raiders put one on then slapped a double to left field putting runners on third and second. A passed ball scored the runner from third, then a base hit scored Coffee County’s fourth run of the inning. CCHS had runners on the corners when pitcher Vanessa Cornelius made a diving catch of a bunt attempt to get out of the jam.
In the third CCHS scored another run off a base hit then a passed ball to take a 5-0 lead.
In the fourth the Lady Pioneers bats went to work. Kendra Savage reached on an error and then stole second. With one out Candace Stubblefield stepped to the plate and drove a double to left center which scored Savage. Sallie Slatton then hit a single over second to give WCHS two runners on base. Kelly Walker hit a shot to right to score Stubblefield to make it a 5-2 ballgame.
In the sixth the bats were still hot for the Lady Pioneers. Two hits put runners on with one out. WCHS hit two line shots, but the CCHS shortstop made two good plays to get her club out of the ending.
CCHS picked up one more run in the sixth off of a base hit and a walk, then another passed ball allowed the runner to score to give the Lady Raiders the win.
Cornelius had six strikeouts and walked only three while giving up eight hits. Stubblefield and Walker went 1-for-3, while Slatton went 2-for-3 for the Lady Pioneers.