By Ashley Crutcher
The Lady Tigers varsity fastpitch softball team was relentless in the Battle in Batesville tournament at Lady Tigers’ Field shutting out both opponents. The Lady Tigers defeated the South Pontotoc Lady Cougars Tuesday afternoon 8-0 and the Lewisburg Lady Patriots 2-0.
In the first inning, both teams played a three up and three down defense with neither teams getting a runner on base.
South Pontotoc’s first batter hit the ball to Lady Tiger senior pitcher Caroline Dickins who threw to Alli Cummins at first getting the first out of the inning. Dickins went on to strike out the next two batters.
In the second inning, the Lady Tigers held their ground on defense again as Dickins struck out the first two batters. One batter for the Lady Cougars got to first on a bunt, however she was tagged out by senior shortstop Mallory Myers as she was sliding into second in an attempt to steal.
Four batters made it on base by three walks and one hit by a pitch. Helmes’ walk drove home Cummins, who was on third, for the first run of the game.
A single to left field by Chloe Morgan and a single to shortstop by Mallory Myers drove home two more runs.
Dickins found her pitch as she doubled to center driving in two more runs for the Lady Tigers. After scoring five runs, Haley Reid was up to bat for the second time this inning and walked with four back to back balls.
Ali Cummins was next up to bat with the bases loaded. After a 3-1 count, Cummins found her pitch and hit a double to left center driving in Chloe Morgan, Myers and Dickins for three runs.
Cummins made it to third safely on an error as the third baseman for the Lady Cougars made an error and missed the throw.
The Lady Tigers fought on defense as Dickins struck out the first two batters. The next batter for the Lady Cougars tripled to right. However, the run was lost as their next batter grounded out to short.
In bottom of the third, Morgan singled to center with two outs but was left on base as the last batter hit a pop fly.
Dickins started the fourth inning by hitting the first batter with a pitch and striking out the second. The third batter for the Lady Cougars grounded out to second.
Darbi Smith came to the mound in relief. The next Lady Cougars batter hit a pop fly to left field which was caught by Maci Kirkland. In the bottom of the fourth, the Lady Cougars held the Tigers to their eight runs by catching a pop fly to shortstop.
The fifth inning flew by as the Lady tigers tagged out a runner at second and third while the final batter for the Lady Cougars struck out on a 1-2 count pitched by Smith. The Lady Tigers had two runners get on base as they were walked; however, the game was called due to time, leaving the final score at 8-0.
Chloe Morgan led at the plate, going 2-for-3, with one run and one RBI (run batted in).
Other hitters include Dickins, 1-for-3, one double, one run, two RBIs; Parker, 0-for-3, one run, one walk, one hit by pitch; Helmes, 0-for-1, one run, two walks; Taylor Utz, 0-for-2, one RBI, one walk; Cummins, 0-for-2, one walk, one run; Meyers, 1-for-3, one run, one RBI;  Reid, 1-for-2, one walk; and Sydney Morgan, 1-for-3, one run.
SP varsity 2, Lewisburg 0
In their second game Tuesday afternoon, the Lady Tigers defeated the Lewisburg Patriots 2-0. The game was scoreless through the first two innings.
Lewisburg reached first on an error in top of the third inning.
The defense didn’t allow the runner a chance to get to second as the next two batter for the Patriots got out, one a fly ball to Dickins and other batter was thrown out at first.
On offense, Amber Helmes walked on a full count.
With two outs, Dickins hit a line drive to right center driving Helmes home. However, as Dickins rounded first the Patriots first basemen blocked the baseline slowing Dickins down as the ball reached second base before Dickins. The umpires, on a controversial no-call, signaled Dickins out at second for the third out.
In top of the fourth, Cummins, a freshman, singled to right center and came home on a Sydney Morgan triple to center field
The game ended in the top of the sixth as the Lady Tigers played a three up three down defense by catching two infield flies and a strikeout by Dickins. The game ended with a final score of 6-0.
Leading at the plate was Sydney Morgan who went 1-for-2 with a triple and one RBI (run batted in).
Also hitting were Helmes, 1-for-1, one run, one walk; Dickins, 1-for-2, one RBI; and Cummins, 1-for-2, one run.
Dickins got the win pitching the complete game in six innings, striking out eight of 23 batters she faced. She allowed two hits, no runs, and one walk.
The Lady Tigers will travel to Neshoba High School today and tomorrow to play in the Neshoba tournament. The Lady Tigers will face Summinton tonight at 6 p.m. Tomorrow they will face Eupora at 3:30 p.m. and Neshoba at 6:30 p.m.