9/25/2008

EAGLETOWN – Down by three runs late, Wright City was able to catch up with Smithville and beat the Lady Braves in extra innings on Tuesday, 5-4.



The game counted for more than just a regular-season finale. It was added to both teams’ schedules as the finals of the county softball tournament.



The championship was originally slated for Aug. 25, but was postponed because of rain. Tuesday’s game was added to their schedule last week, so the tournament could finally be completed.



Whitney Slabaugh reached base in the top of the eighth and moved to second on a passed ball. With two outs, Kim Collins ripped an RBI triple to left-center field, knocking in Slabaugh.



In the bottom of the eighth, Haley Schaefer snagged a fly ball in centerfield. Caitlyn Byrd, the third player coach Dane Hill used at second base in the contest, then fielded two grounders and flipped to first base each time to end it. One of those balls took a bad hop and hit Byrd in the stomach, but she stayed with it and made the play.



Amberly Hawkins pitched all eight innings for the win. Clancy Williams went the distance for Smithville.



The Lady Braves cracked two doubles in the first inning and scored two earned runs.



In the third, Collins singled, stole second and scored with two outs when a fly ball to left was dropped.



Wright City dropped a pair of fly balls in the bottom of the fourth inning, which allowed two Smithville runs to score.



Hawkins and Schafer both scored in the top of the sixth inning to cut the lead to 4-3.



Hawkins singled in the seventh inning and scored when Schafer drove a double off the fence in centerfield.



Wright City (18-10) will host a district tournament today. Boswell and Clayton play in the first game, with Wright City awaiting the winner.



Wright City notes



Ace Lee Pittman pitched a complete game on Monday, when Wright City beat Boswell 12-5.



Last weekend, the Lady Jax played at the ASA Hall of Fame tournament in Oklahoma City.



Wright City posted one win and five losses at the event. The Lady Jax defeated Keota 5-4. But Wright City suffered the following losses: 12-2 to Fletcher; 4-0 to Apache; 8-0 to Sterling; 8-0 to Elgin and 2-0 to Davis.



Wright City 5, Smithville 4



W. City – 0 0 1 - 0 0 2 - 1 1 – 5



Smith. – 2 0 0 – 2 0 0 – 0 0 – 4



WP: Hawkins.



LP: Williams.