Pair of Havens home runs not enough

By Dan Ries

Sports Reporter

Senior Maleyna Havens hit two two-run home runs but it wasn’t enough as the Lady Warriors lost a heartbreaking 8-7 softball game to the Marlington Dukes April 6 at Marlington.

Juliaunna Miller led off the top of the first for the Warriors by hitting a double over the third baseman’s head. Marleigh Osolin followed by outrunning a bunt, advancing Miller to third. Kearsten Ball  then laid down a sacrifice bunt, advancing Osolin to second and scoring Miller from third to give Carrollton a 1-0 lead. Havens worked the count to 3-2 before connecting, driving the ball over the fence in right field to increase the Warrior lead to 3-0.

Carrollton struck again in the third inning. Miller again led off the inning with a double, this time to right field. The next two batters made outs and Havens walked to the plate. But she did not get to swing the bat. The Dukes’ head coach decided he wasn’t taking any chances and intentionally walked her. The Warriors batter jogged to first with a disappointed look on her face.

Jordan Pittman smacked a single to right center, scoring Miller from second. Hannah Little singled over the first baseman’s head, scoring Havens. The Warriors led 5-0.

Things began to unravel for the visitors in the bottom of the third. A single followed by a fast ball and another single gave the hosts their first run. A fielder’s choice moved the runner to second. A single to left put runners on second and third. A ground out to first scored a second run, moving the runner to third with two outs. 

A routine ground ball and toss to first and the Warriors would be out of trouble. But a dropped ball by the first baseman allowed the runner to score from third and the inning to continue. A single to left allowed another run to score. The third inning ended with a 5-4 Warrior advantage. 

The Warriors had a big opportunity in the fourth. Rylie Mercer and Kailey Delawder singled. A sacrifice by Miller moved the runners to second and third. Following a strikeout, Ball drew a walk to load the bases for Havens.

 There would be no intentional walk for Havens this time. After working the count to 2-1, the Warrior slugger hit a line drive…straight down to the ground. The ball landed two inches in front of home plate in the soft wet dirt and laid there. The catcher grabbed the ball and stepped on the plate for the third out.

The Dukes knotted the score 5-5 in the fourth, but things could have been much worse. A walk and a single just over the head of the third baseman put runners at first and second. After a popout, a single up the middle left the bases loaded. A wild pitch would allow the tying run and advance the runners to second and third. A walk loaded the bases. The next batter hit a long fly ball to left center. Osolin, playing center, made a running catch toward right and threw a bullet to Warrior catcher Mercer, made the tag for the double play.

The Dukes added three runs in the bottom of the sixth. A double to center followed by a wild pitch and a Warrior error gave Marlington its first lead at 6-5. Another walk loaded the bases and a single to center scored another run. A fielder’s choice and Marlington was up 8-5 entering the final inning.

The Warriors weren’t finished. After a groundout, Ball doubled down the line into left field. Havens came to the plate and hit a hard line drive to dead center for her second two run home run of the game pulling the Warriors to within one run. However, a groundout and popout to second would give the Dukes the victory.

“They (Marlington) made better adjustments in the box than we did,” Head Coach Shane Ball said. “We should have taken advantage”

Delawder took the loss, pitching 5.1 innings giving up eight runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out one. Little pitched two-thirds of an inning giving up one hit. The Warriors committed three errors.

“Errors are on the coaches. We have to get more coaching in,” Ball added.

Havens would go 2-3 scoring three runs with four RBIs on two home runs. Miller doubled twice going 2-4, scoring two runs. Pittman was 2-4 with an RBI. Ball was 1-2 with a double with an RBI and a run. 

Alliance

The Carrollton Lady Warriors travelled to Alliance on April 4 and defeated the Aviators 9-2. It was their first game in a week due to the wet weather and was moved to Alliance due to a soggy Field of Dreams.

The Warriors bats were hot from the start, scoring two runs in the first and second inning and adding four more in the third for an 8-0 lead. Alliance would score both their runs in the fourth inning and Carrollton added one more in the ninth to complete their victory. 

Delawder pitched six strong innings for the win, giving up two runs, both unearned, on five hits, two walks while striking out six. Little pitched a scoreless seventh walking two. Alliance led in errors 4-3.

The Warriors outhit the Aviators 13-5. Jordan Pittman led the Warrior offense going 2-3 with a double, two RBIs, three runs scored while walking once. Little was 3-4 with two RBIs. Havens also doubled, going 2-5 with a run, RBI and a stolen base. Miller was 3-5 with a run and RBI. Ball went 1-2 with a double, walk, run and RBI.