Softball falls on Sr. Night: Siegel wins in 9 innings

The Lady Pioneer softball team celebrated Senior Night on Thursday, honoring its four senior players prior to its game against Siegel.

Unfortunately it was the Lady Stars who were celebrating after a nine-inning marathon, as they handed Warren County a 6-1 district loss.

With the defeat, the Lady Pioneers fell to 3-10 in District 7-AAA play, and 9-21 overall.

A hotly contested pitchers? duel for the first five innings, the game?s scoreless tie ended in the top of the sixth, when Siegel struck for a single run.

With one out in the inning, the Stars got singles from Megan Williams, Sami McCampbell and Monica West, chasing WCHS starter LeAnne Smith from the pitcher?s circle in favor of Brittany Ferrell. Cassie McKinney came through with yet another single, however, scoring Megan Williams, but the Lady Pioneers got out of the inning without any more damage.

Held to just three hits through the first six innings, Warren County finally got to McCampbell in the bottom of the seventh, when Katie Rogers singled to left with one out. Nikki Poe was called out on strikes for the inning?s second out, but Emily Smith hit a hard shot to shortstop which was thrown away, allowing Rogers to score and send the game into extra innings.

Neither team had a baserunner in the eighth, but in the ninth inning Siegel?s Jennifer Poland singled to get things started, and was bunted over to second by Amy Roeger. A single from Jessica Burns put runners at the corners, and Amy Burns plated Poland with a base hit to center field.

Becca Williams reached on a Rogers error, scoring Jessica Burns, and Megan Williams came throw with the killing blow, belting a three-run inside-the-park homer to right field.

McCampbell retired the Lady Pioneers in order in the bottom of the ninth, fanning Macall Cooper and Rogers to end the game.

Penny Wanamaker was a perfect 3-for-3 for the Lady Pioneers, while Rogers had the team?s only other two hits. Megan Williams led Siegel at the plate with a 4-for-5 night, scoring two runs and driving in three.

The Lady Pioneers return to action this weekend, when they?ll take part in a tournament at Coffee County.