ORLANDO, Fla. — For the third time this season, the South Laurel Lady Cardinals scored 18 runs in a game.
South Laurel (10-3) battled back from an 11-3 deficit, exploding for 14 runs in the bottom of the sixth to defeat Chicago’s Saint Ignatius College Prep, 18-12.
“We didn’t start the game with the intensity that we needed to be able to compete but we were able to find it and was able to find a way,” South Laurel coach Carly Mink said. “ I’m proud of them for not giving up.
“We were just trying to focus on getting runners on and get within striking distance in the seventh inning,” she added. “We found a way to put together a huge inning. We focus on being resilient.
The Lady Cardinals found themselves tied at three apiece entering the second inning before Saint Ignatius scored five runs in the second inning, one run in the third inning, and two runs in the fourth inning to claim an 11-3 advantage.
It looked like it was going to be a long day at the office for South Laurel until the bottom of the sixth inning when the Lady Cardinals pushed across 14 runs to take an 18-11 lead.
Saint Ignatius attempted to rally in the top of the seventh inning but managed to score only one run.
South Laurel connected with 17 hits in the win, and two home runs.
Addison Baker connected with the long ball, going 3-for-4 with two RBI, and three runs scored. Emmie Rice connected with a home run, finishing with two hits while driving in three runs and scoring once. Ryleigh Bretz turned in a 3-for-4 effort while driving in three runs and scoring twice. Audrey Likins finished with two hits, two RBI, and two runs scored while Skye Lawson was 3-for-4 with three RBI, and one run scored. Morgan Jackson finished with a hit, three RBI, and two runs scored while Bailey Frazier was 2-for-2 with two runs scored. Kenzie Williams delivered a hit, two RBI, and scored once while Amara Horn scored once.
Jackson started the game in the pitcher’s circle, tossing 1 2/3 of an inning while allowing six hits and four earned runs. She struck out two batters. Likins picked up the win in relief, lasting 5 1/3 of an inning while giving up five hits, and four earned runs. She finished with four strikeouts.
