The Caldwell County Lady Tigers had been oh so close to picking up a big win on the softball season that might give them some momentum during what has been a brutal schedule to start the season. That win may have come on the road Thursday evening.
The Lady Tigers got off to a great start and then held off the Marshall County Lady Marshals late to defeat the defending 1st Region champions 6-4 in Draffenville.
Caldwell County came firing right out of the gate. Emma Staples and Mashea Glover opened the game with back to back doubles, to put the Lady Tigers up 1-0 before the Lady Marshall had a chance to get settled on the field. Haley Stiles drove in two more runs with another double later in the inning. Karlie Rennison then added an RBI single to cap off the inning, and the Lady Tigers were up 4-0 before Marshall County had a chance to get in the batter’s box.
Meanwhile, Katie Franklin had the Lady Marshals in her hip pocket for the first five innings. Franklin kept Marshall County scoreless for the first five and only allowed one hit.
The Lady Marshals then made their move to get back in the game in the bottom of the 6th inning. Marshall County used four singles and a hit batter to plate three runs and cut the lead to 4-3.
Caldwell County got some much needed insurance in the top of the 7th. Katie Franklin connected for a one out double, followed by a single from Allie Felker. Franklin and Felker would both later score on steals of home to make it 6-3.
Marshall County got a two out walk followed by a double in the bottom of the 7th to make it 6-4. But Franklin was able induce a pop up to end the game.
Haley Stiles had a big game for Caldwell County, going 3-4, with a double, 2 RBIs, and a run scored. Karlie Rennison was 2-3, with an RBI. Allie Felker ended up 2-4, with two runs scored.
In the circle, Katie Franklin went seven innings, giving up four runs, on six hits, striking out seven, while walking three.
