Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Late collapse dooms Eagles

The Oran High School girls softball team was within 3 outs of their first victory at home yesterday afternoon as they held a 3-1 lead over the visiting Naylor Eagles heading into the 7th inning.  Naylor exploded for 6 runs (4 earned) for the comeback win.

Oran drew first blood in the bottom the second. Tatum May reached on an infield single and advanced to second on a ground out and third on a passed ball.  Kenzie Graviett laid down a bunt, a safety squeeze, that allow May to cross the plate.

That was how it stayed until the 5th inning.

In the top half, Naylor picked up an unearned run.  A one out single was followed by back to back two-out errors that allowed the tying run.

Oran picked up a couple two-out runs of their own in the bottom of the inning.  Maddie Graviett started the rally with a single to right.  Sydney Kern had an infield single.  Leah Cauble hit a two RBI double to give the home team a 3-1 lead.

Neither team scored in the 6th.

Then came the fateful 7th inning.  The first batter was retired on a line drive to Kern at short.  The next 8 batters, however reached base and 6 scored to give Naylor a four-run lead.

Oran had it's first two base runners reach in the bottom half, but a base running blunder changed the situation from 2 on and none out to none on and 2 out.

After the game, assistant coach Susan Dirnberger told the blog, "It was not a good game. We had way too many errors. We played a lot better against Scott City and Kennett."

Kenzie Graviett got the start. She went 6 1/3 innings and gave up 4 runs, 3 earned.  She allowed 5 hits, struck out 2 and walked 1.  May finished the game and allowed 3 runs, only 1 earned on 2 hits and a walk.

At the plate, Oran only managed 5 hits, 1 each by Kern, Cauble, May and Kenzie and Maddie Graviett. Cauble had 2 RBI and Kenzie Graviett the other.

This was the second time this season the Eagles were three outs from a victory only to fall.  Oran led Scott City 2-1 in the bottom of the 7th before a 3-run walk off home run.

The Eagles are now 0-3 and will look for their first victory on Thursday when they host conference foe East Prairie at 4:30.






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