2nd inning keys Mt. Hermon victory over Pine
Published 9:32 am Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Mt. Hermon School scored eight runs in the second inning and freshman Shamya Hart had a big day in an 11-5 victory over Pine at home Monday.
Hart drove in three runs while reaching base three times. She singled, doubled and walked.
“Last time we played them, I kind of struck out a few (times),” Hart said. “I think my coach (Allie Boquet) has helped me out a lot throughout this whole year. I just want to thank my coach for helping me.”
Coach Boquet said Hart has struggled this season but said she capitalized in this game.
“She had a really good hit,” Boquet said. “She was a really good teammate. I try to emphasize to these kids that you’ve got to be a really good teammate. So it’s all about RBIs, runs batted in, so that’s what they aim for. They aim to get the person that’s on base in. They’re not trying to swing for the fence.”
Pine got on the board first in the opening inning with two runs, as the Lady Raiders put a two-out rally together.
Haley Stephens, who posted two hits, singled to center and reached second on an error. Megan Graham, who had a hit and two runs scored, reached on a throwing error before swiping second.
Both scored on a two-run single by Sierra Miley, putting Pine in front 2-0.
It remained that way until the bottom of the second when the Lady Jackets put up an eight spot.
Kalei Hughes, who doubled, drove in two, scored three runs and walked twice, walked on a triple by the next hitter Karla Martin to cut the lead in half.
Martin, who singled, doubled and drove in two runs, was later tagged out by catcher Graham, trying to advance on a ball in the dirt.
Morgan Lusk and Alyssa Barber walked, and Destiny Brumfield was hit. Lusk, who singled and walked, scored on a passed ball to tie things, 2-2. Barber, who singled and walked, was forced out at the plate on a fielder’s choice by Taylor Blanchard.
Alyssa Woodard, who singled twice and drove in a run, recorded an RBI single, giving Mt. Hermon its first lead, 3-2, as Brumfield scored the go-ahead run.
Hart then came through with a two-run single, plating Fortenberry and Blanchard.
Woodard and Hart moved up on a dropped throw home.
The 10th hitter of the inning, Hughes, who began the frame with a walk, added two more with a double to the left centerfield gap. Woodard and Hart both tallied and the Lady Jackets were up, 7-2.
Martin capped the inning’s scoring by posting an RBI single to center, sending Hughes home with the eighth run. The Lady Jackets led, 8-2, after two innings.
After a scoreless third, Pine got its offense going in the fourth.
Breanna Brumfield walked before Morgan Crain, who had a hit and walked twice, singled. Karley Voth moved both runners moved up by putting down a sacrifice bunt.
Abbi Temples, who had a hit and an RBI, drove in Brumfield. Crain scored, as the throw home was dropped, making it an 8-4 contest.
The Lady Jackets responded with one their own, keeping the game out of slam range, where Pine could either tie or go in front with a grand slam.
Blanchard, who drew two walks and tallied twice, walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on Hart’s double to make it, 9-4.
Pine got within a grand slam with a run in the fifth.
Graham singled and took second on an error. Miley reached on an error and Shakya Roberson walked. Brumfield hit a grounder to short. The throw home was low, Graham scored but Miley was forced at third. It was 9-5 through 5 1/2 innings.
The Lady Jackets added two more in their half of the sixth.
With one out, Woodard singled and Hart walked. Hughes lined out to second but an illegal pitch was called. It goes as a ball and both runners moved up. Hughes walked later in the at bat. Woodard scored on an error to make it 10-5. Martin reached on a fielder’s choice as Hart was forced out at home. Lusk singled to center but an error allowed Hughes to tally for an 11-5 game.
Pine went three-up, three-down in the seventh, ending the game.
Miley finished with a hit and two RBIs for Pine while Bailey Penton had a hit.