Thorsby softball outlasts West Blocton in shootout

Published 4:29 pm Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Thorsby High School defeated West Blocton 12-11 in a comeback win on March 7.

West Blocton led the Rebels 9-0 going into the second inning, when the Rebels scored four runs of their own to start the comeback.

According to Thorsby head coach Leighsa Robinson, the comeback was fueled by one of the best hitting games the Rebels had put together all season.

Addie Niamon started the game in the circle and gave up three hits, one home run and one walk, as the freshman battled a very good hitting team in West Blocton.

Thorsby committed two errors, which helped produce three of West Blocton’s nine runs during the two-inning onslaught.

A pitching change took place for the Rebels, as Taylor McManus entered with two outs remaining in the second inning.

The Rebels fought back, as Madyson Ellison reached base on an error, Anna Hilyer singled to left field and Abby Cleckler doubled to score Ellison.

Ashley Cleckler drove home Hilyer, and McManus followed it up with another RBI.

In the bottom of the third inning, Lauren Reeser hit a stand-up double, Anna Hilyer reached base with a walk and Abby Cleckler hit a single to left field for an RBI.

Reeser followed it up with a two-run dinger to center field which made the score 11-8 in favor of West Blocton.

The Rebels grabbed a 12-11 lead with a three-run sixth inning, as Irelan Childress reaching base and Ellison getting hit by a pitch, as Resser and Hilyer each had an RBI double.

McManus faced 20 batters and stuck out eight and allowed only three hits to get the win.

The Rebels compiled 12 hits against a talented Class 4A West Blocton team.

According to Robinson, the come-from-behind win was a total team effort thanks to great defense and spectacular hitting as well as spot-on pitching from McManus.