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Arcanum’s
lead-off hitter, Tara Simpson, got things started for the Lady Trojans
Friday in the first inning. Simpson later scored helping Arcanum to the
5-4 Cross County Conference victory over Covington. CNO Photos by
George Starks
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Lady Trojans
pushed to the final out
Arcanum wins in struggle
By George Starks
ARCANUM- Arcanum pushed. Covington pushed back.
In the end, the Lady Buccs had one final push in them but it wasn’t
enough as Arcanum had to hold on in the last inning to claim a 5-4
Cross County Conference victory Friday.
It all came with a little drama. Heading into the top of the seventh,
the Trojans held a 5-3 lead. After Covington plated a run, the Buccs,
with two outs and two on, saw Brittany Flora hit a line shot to third
that MaKayla Slade snagged for the final out of the game, giving the
Trojans the victory.
“Covington is a good team and I’m trying to get my girls to realize
they are a good team too,” said Arcanum coach Rick Stone. “Today, we
came out and hit the ball and played like a team. In our two losses, it
was our defense that hurt us but today, the offense and the defense was
there.”
After Covington got on the board in the first, Arcanum’s offense got
things going in the bottom of the frame. After a lead-off infield
single from Tara Simpson, Allison Dill followed with a double to
right-center. Even though the Trojans would leaves the bases full,
Arcanum would send nine to plate, scoring three to take a 3-1 lead.
Covington would come calling in the second, plating two more, gaining a
3-3 tie.
The Trojans offense would once again strike in the home half of the
second. With two down, Josie Weaver would double to left and later
score when Erija Nealiegh would get on through an error by the Buccs
second baseman, Jessie Shilt.
Nealiegh would score off an rbi single from Madison Brandon.
After that, the pitching and defense would take over until the top of
the seventh.
“We played some good defense and had some great plays today,” said
Stone. “This was a total team effort. There were several good defensive
plays. On offense, everyone was putting the bat on the ball, we ran the
bases hard and just played together as a team. Covington gave us a
scare in the end but again, it took a good defensive play to get the
win.”
On the mound, Nealiegh allowed 11 hits with the four runs scored while
striking out five.
A rough outing overall.
“Erija is a player and she always wants the ball,” Stone said. “The kid
is a warrior and has been all year long. When she gets into trouble,
she wants no part of me coming out there to check on her. Can’t say
enough about her.”
The Trojans played Preble Shawnee Saturday, will host Sidney Lehman on
Monday and will travel to Miami East on Tuesday for a CCC battle with
the Vikings.
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Arcanum
pitcher Erija Nealeigh delivers a pitch for the Trojans. Nealeigh was
pushed by the
Buccs but held on to preserve the win.
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