Whenever Boiling Springs and Byrnes step onto the softball field at the same time you know that you are going to see a championship level game and with the two teams playing a best of three series this season because of region realignment, it’s only added one more level to an already exciting rivalry. The Bulldogs were able to come away with the early advantage on Thursday night as they claimed a 4-3 victory over the Rebels. “With the way we played here last year it was nice to come over here and get this victory, ” said Boiling Springs head coach Randy Piazza, “everybody knows that this series is always a big one.”
After getting out of a bases loaded situation in the bottom of the first, it was the Bulldogs offense who struck first in the top of the second inning when Shelby Griffin singled home Moriah Gomez, who had reached on a hit-by-pitch, giving Boiling Springs a 1-0 lead. The Bulldogs next run would cross the plate when Emma Williams singled home Calli Richards and gave the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead at the end of the third inning. Griffin would add to her good night at the plate in the fourth inning as she belted a home run to right field giving Boiling Springs a 3-0 lead. After escaping a bases loaded situation in the first inning Bulldogs’ pitcher Calli Richards settled in and allowed only three hitters to reach base from the second inning through the fifth inning. In the sixth inning the Rebels batters were finally able to get something going though as they were able to score three runs with two outs. Haylee Whitesides gave the Rebels their first run of the game when she singled home Haven Pesce to make the score 3-1. The Rebels would score two more runs on the next at-bat when Hayden Bradley singled home Tadum Arboleda and Kassie Rimel tying the game at 3-3 at the end of the sixth inning. Neither team was able to get anything going in the seventh inning and as with any big matchup it was going to take extra innings to decide this one. In the top of the eighth inning Coach Piazza brought in freshman Regan Bristol to pinch hit to start the inning and it paid off as she was able to reach with a single. After being moved over to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Emily Hill, Bristol was able to make it to third on a Lindsey Edge single to right field. With one out in the inning, it was time for Griffin to come to the plate again and she delivered with a double to left field that scored Bristol from third base and gave the Bulldogs a 4-3 lead. When asked about the hit after the game Griffin said, “I was just focused on trying to really hit the ball well and being confident in myself. It just feels really good to get this first win against Byrnes.” Coach Piazza said about Griffin’s clutch hitting, “If I had to have someone at the plate in a big situation, I’d want it to be Shelby. I’m just really proud of her performance tonight.” The Rebels came to the plate in the bottom half of the inning and were able to get their leadoff hitter on base but after a sacrifice bunt attempt by Rimel advanced the runner to second, Bulldogs second baseman Nattalie Hazzard was able to throw out the lead runner trying to advance to third giving the Rebels two outs. The final out of the game came when Hazzard was able to secure a fly ball to second base and give the Bulldogs a 4-3 victory. Boiling Springs will return to play Friday night as they host Gaffney at 6:00 PM. The Rebels will return to action on Saturday as they play in the 2017 Lady Rebel Invitational at Tyger River Park. Comments are closed.
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