Chances slip away from Tigers in game 1 vs FHU

Freed-Hardeman jumped out to an early lead over Georgetown in game 1 of the 4-game weekend series at the Tiger Softball Complex. The Tigers fought back but could not capitalize on enough opportunities and fell by a 10-4 final.

The Lions attacked Emma Cummings from the start, putting the first 4 runners on base and pushing a run across. Cummings put the next batter down on strikes, but FHU followed with a sacrifice that brought home a 2nd run in the top of the 1st. Ainsley Herron and Stevie Shepherd drew walks in the bottom of the inning and would steal 3rd and 2nd, respectively. They were stranded there as Kinley Lucas went down on strikes to end the inning.

After a quiet 2nd, Freed-Hardeman put the first 3 runners on against Cummings in the 3rd to load the bases. An RBI groundout followed, along with a sacrifice fly 2 batters later for a 4-0 lead. A 3rd run in the inning scored via an error to give the Lions a 5-0 lead. Georgetown got the bats going in the bottom of the 3rd. Kaylyn Barnett led off with a double that surely would've been a home run if not for strong winds blowing in from right field. Ainsley Herron followed with a bunt single to put runners at the corners. Barnett came home on a Stevie Shepherd fielder's choice to get the Tigers on the board. Alanna Pierce followed with a pop-up behind home plate. Shepherd stayed aggressive on 1st and took off for 2nd. The throw arrived at the bag as Shepherd did, resulting in a deflection that carried the ball all the way beyond the left field line. Shepherd never broke stride and ran all the way home for another run.

Georgetown got another run in the bottom of the 4th on an RBI groundout from Ainsley Herron that scored pinch-runner, Emma Price. The Tigers could not add more and left 2 more runners on base, trailing 6-3 after 4. A similar story followed in the bottom of the 5th as Georgetown scored 1 run but left 2 more runners on-base and stayed behind at 7-4 after 5.

FHU scored 2 more runs in the top of the 6th for a 9-4 lead. Georgetown put Stevie Shepherd and Alanna Pierce on with only 1 out. Kinley Lucas and Kylee West were unable to move the runners to keep the deficit the same. The Tigers went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 7th after the Lions put 1 more run on the board in the top of the 7th.

In total, Georgetown left 11 runners on base and struck out 8 times. Emma Cummings took the loss after going the front 3, allowing 6 runs on 8 hits. Elyssa Craig and Peyton Bibb pitched 2 innings each. Craig allowed 3 hits and 3 runs (2 earned), while Bibb pitched the final 2 innings and allowed a run on 3 hits.