WCHS rules the pool: Wanamaker’s homer highlights sweep
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A total of 42 teams from across the state converged on the Cane Creek Complex for “The Duff Invitational,” a three-day event consisting of two days of pool play, followed by a single elimination tournament.
Warren County finished first in its pool, beating York 3-1 in its first game and Marion County 4-3 Friday night. The Lady Pioneers then defeated Antioch Saturday morning 4-2.
In their first game the Lady Pioneers took on the Lady Dragons of York. Warren County posted two runs in the bottom of the first after Alex Mullican drew a walk, MaCall Cooper singled, Candace Stubblefield was hit by a pitch and Penny Wanamaker singled.
York went down in order in the top of the second. Emily Smith singled with two outs in the bottom of the inning but was left stranded.
In the top of the third York scored one run off of a double, single and an error. Warren County went three and out in the inning.
York went down in the top of the fourth and top of the fifth. The Lady Pioneers secured the win in the bottom of the fifth when Mullican walked, Cooper singled and Shellie Hayes hit a deep sac-fly to score Mullican as the Lady Pioneers won 3-1. Erica Warren collected three strike-outs, gave up two hits and the Lady Pioneers committed three errors.
In the second game Warren County took on Marion County. The Lady Pioneers fell behind in the second inning as the Lady Warriors sent two runs across the plate. Three hits and an error gave Marion County a 2-0 lead. Warren County put two runners on base in the bottom of the inning when Stubblefield walked and Wanamaker singled but the runners were left stranded.
Marion County went down in order in the top of the third. The Lady Pioneers got things going in the bottom of the inning sending three runs across the plate. Smith got things started with a single to right. Mullican singled and Copper singled to left scoring Smith. Cassie McGinness singled scoring Mullican and Cooper to give the Lady Pioneers a 3-2 lead.
In the top of the fourth Marion County collected one hit as the next three batters ground out. The Lady Warriors tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the fifth on a hit and two stolen bases. As time expired the two teams played an international tie-breaker, with a runner starting on second base for each team.
Marion County failed to score its runner and went down 1-2-3. The Lady Pioneers had some last minute heroics as Caitlyn Brock was the runners at second. With one out and the count 2-2, Stubblefield singled to left scoring Brock for the game winning run.
Warren picked up seven K’s and gave up five hits.
On Saturday Warren County took on Antioch and took and early lead in the first inning 2-0. Cooper singled and McGinness singled but scored as she rounded the bases when Antioch threw the ball in to left field. The Lady Bears scored one run in the top of the second off of one hit and one error.
In the top of fourth a lead-off homer by a Lady Bear tied the game at 2-2. Stubblefield doubled in the bottom of the fourth to get things started for Warren County. Penny Wanamaker stepped to the plate and nailed one over the fence for the two run homer as Warren County took the win and claimed the No. 1 seed out of its pool. McGinness and Smith also picked up one hit each in the game.