By Joshua Price/Spors Editor
Glencoe catcher Jamie McGuire delivered a two-out single in the bottom of the sixth inning, earning a pair of RBIs and giving the fourth-ranked Lady Yellow Jackets a 7-6 lead over eighth-ranked Susan Moore in the Class 3A, Area 10 varsity girls softball tournament on May 3 at Susan Moore.
McGuire’s single was the culmination of an explosive sixth inning for Glencoe offense.
Alaina Hampton and Wilson led the inning off with singles. Sarah Wallace singled to left field with two outs to load the bases. Lyles singled to center field to score Hampton, and the Yellow Jackets trailed, 6-4.
Sims reached first base on a fielder’s choice, loading the bases for McGuire.
The game was played on a muddy field and both teams suffered from the slippery balls – most notably the pitchers.
Glencoe pitcher Jordan Sims gave up a double to Christa Lynn to start the game. Sims walked Peyton Hamby and Jana Simeoneaux to load the bases with no outs.
Chelsea Ogles drove a misplaced Sims fastball deep over the centerfield fence for a grand-slam, giving the Bulldogs a 4-0 lead.
Susan Moore’s pitching also suffered from the poor field conditions.
Glencoe’s Morgan Lyles reached first base on a fielder’s choice in the bottom half of the first inning. Sims located a misplaced fastball, and smacked a homerun to close the Bulldog lead to 4-2 at the end of one.
The Lady Bulldogs scored again in the top of the second inning, extending their lead to 5-2.
Glencoe’s Danielle Wilson reached first base on an error to start the bottom half of the second inning. Sarah Wallace singled three batters later, scoring Wilson and closing the gap to 5-3.
Both pitchers settled into rhythm for the following four innings. Neither team allowed any runs and only a handful of hits were scattered.
Susan Moore extended its lead to 6-3 in the top of the sixth inning final run came in the top of the sixth inning.
McGuire led the Yellow Jackets’ offense, batting 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Wallace slapped three hits and had one RBI, while Chandler Hardin went 2-for-3. Lyles had a hit and an RBI.
Sims earned the win, stirking out five Bulldogs. Sims gave up five hits and walked eight batters.
Glencoe improved its record to 32-10 and is 2-0 in the area tournament. The Yellow Jackets earned a spot in the championship round, which begins at 1:30 p.m. today (May 4) at Susan Moore. The Yellow Jackets will face the winner of the Ashville/Susan Moore game, which is scheduled for noon.
