Maplesville strikes early, withstands Verbena’s late run
Published 10:54 am Monday, April 28, 2014
By Brandon Sumrall | Special to the Advertiser
A quick start was enough for Maplesville’s varsity softball team to outlast homestanding Verbena on Friday afternoon, 12-9.
Maplesville jumped out to an early 9-0 lead through the first two innings, and a late-game rally by Verbena fell just a little short.
Verbena’s Chelsea Ray slides safely into home plate before Maplesville’s Alyssa McGee can apply a tag.
Without recording a hit, Maplesville picked up four runs in the top of the first inning thanks to four walks, a hit batter, a fielder’s choice and an error that put Verbena in an early hole.
Katelyn Green started the bottom half of the inning by taking a pitch off her left leg and advanced as far as third base before three consecutive outs ended the inning.
Maplesville picked up five more runs in the top of the second, thanks in part to RBI singles from Alyssa McGee and Shelby Weldon.
Jennifer Moore and Isabella Blankenship were stranded on base in the bottom of the second inning for Verbena, who continued to trail, 9-0.
After reaching base on a single, Ashton Taylor later scored on a passed ball to make the score 10-0 in favor of Maplesville.
With two on and no outs, Chelsea Ray reached first base on an interference call on the Maplesville catcher, and Katelyn Green scored from first base on the play.
Samantha Dopson drove in Candice Williams with a triple to right-center field to make the score 10-2.
After two more Maplesville runs in the top of the fourth inning, Verbena trailed 12-2 going into the bottom of the fourth.
A two-run double by Green gave Verbena two runs to start the bottom half of the fourth inning, and Ray drove in another with a single.
Verbena coach Ricky Atcheson (center) recognized the team’s two seniors, Jennifer Moore (left) and Haley Blauch during their final regular season home game.
Five runs in the inning made the score 12-7.
With the Verbena defense shutting down Maplesville through the next three innings, the host Devils picked up one run in the bottom of the fifth and another in the bottom of the sixth to come up a little shy of the comeback.
As part of their Relay For Life efforts, the Verbena softball team pledged $10 per run scored by their team, adding another $90 to the school’s fundraising efforts.
