Lady Trojans answer Dresden rally with walk-off

 

Jason Peevyhouse

Editor, JP Productions Sports

Though the Lady Trojans took a lead into the top of the seventh on Thursday, Dyersburg needed a late rally after Dresden battled back to tie it in the top of the final inning before taking a 5-4 win at Doug French Field following a Mallory McCaslin single to drive in the game-winning run.

Dresden got on the board first on Thursday, getting an RBI single from Gracie Adams to take a 1-0 lead after the top of the first inning.

Dyersburg answered with a pair of runs of its on in the bottom of the frame. Chelby Jordan and Izzie Odom each reached on errors before a Lily Kate Jones single loaded the bases. Two batters later, Addie Gatlin reached on an error to send across a run and tie the game. McCaslin singled in another to put the Lady Trojans on top 2-1 after one inning.

Dresden pulled even in the top of the third, getting a two-out, RBI double by Mollie Oliver to knot the score up at 2-2.

The Lady Trojans didn’t let the game stay tied for long as Bella Turnage doubled to lead off the inning then Odom drew a walk. Jones singled in a run and Gatling added an RBI single two batters later to put Dyersburg on top 4-2 after three frames.

Dresden’s offense was able to get going late. Adams reached on a fielder’s choice then scored on a wild pitch to cut the Dyersburg lead to 4-3 after the top of the sixth inning.

Following a 1-2-3 bottom of the sixth, the Lady Lions rallied with one out in the top of the seventh. Allyssa Wilson reached on an error then Allie Spaulding singled before Emma Parham drew a walk to load the bases. With Odom being relieved by Gatlin in the circle, Oliver followed with a game-tying single as her pop up into short right fell between the Dyersburg fielders to knot the score up at 4-4. Gatlin then struck out the next two batters to end the frame with the game still tied.

Dyersburg went to work in the bottom of the seventh with one out. A single from Jones was followed by a Murphy Morgan walk. After a popup to short for the second out, McCaslin singled to right with the Dresden fielder just missing a diving catch which would have ended the frame but allowed Jones to score from second to get the walk-off win.

Jones had four singles and an RBI to lead the way for the Lady Trojans at the plate while McCaslin had two singles and two RBI in the win.

Despite the blown save, Gatlin got the win in the circle, striking out two of the three batters she faced in the seventh inning. Odom allowed four runs (two earned) on seven hits with two strikeouts before being lifted in the seventh.

Dresden’s Jacie West allowed five runs (three earned) on nine hits with three strikeouts to take the loss.

Dyersburg returns to action at 5:30 p.m. on Friday when the Lady Trojans host Union City at Doug French Field.

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