Softball falls to ranked CBC in close affairs

March 16, 2021

by Dustin Semore, Sports Information Director

CONWAY, Ark. - Crowley's Ridge College took the #16th ranked Central Baptist (Ark.) College Mustangs to extras in the first game of today's doubleheader before falling 7-6 in extra innings. In the second game, a Lady Pioneer comeback fell short as the Mustangs swept the day with a 6-4 victory.

GAME ONE (8 inn.)

Crowley's Ridge - 6

Central Baptist - 7

Senior Kaitlyn Stebelton started off the day's festivities with a double to deep left-center field, later scoring off of Hannah Powell's groundout to give the Lady Pioneers (4-7) an early 1-0 lead.

The Mustangs (9-3) answered back with a two-out triple from Katie Gordon that plated a run. Gordon would be rewarded by scoring a run herself with the ensuing RBI single from Baleigh Jackson as the Mustangs took a 2-1 lead.

Later in the fourth inning, Allie Seats blasted a two-run homer to put the home team ahead 4-1. Meanwhile, the Lady Pioneer bats were quieted after the first inning, only tallying two hits over the next four innings. That dry spell would be broken in the fifth inning by none other than Stebelton, who ripped a leadoff double into left field. She came around to score thanks to K.J. Jackson's sacrifice fly to cut the CRC deficit to 4-2

Down two, the Pioneers started the top of the seventh inning with a pair of singles from Madyson McDermott and Lacey Lambright. The only error of the game for the Mustangs came at a most inopportune time, as a wild throw allowed McDermott and Lambright to score and tie the game 4-4 and put the go-ahead run in Eden Hernandez on third. Hernandez would indeed score on the next at-bat with April Kennedy's RBI groundout to put the Lady 'Neers on top 5-4.

Three outs away from victory, Crowley's Ridge saw a leadoff single and a stolen base bring a runner in to score after a sac bunt and sac fly. After the scheduled seven innings, both teams sat on a 5-5 scoreline.

Hannah Powell started the eighth inning as the international tie-breaker on second. After moving to third on a single from Jackson, Powell would score on Bailey Jones's RBI. The upset bid fell short; however, as the Mustangs started the inning with a runner on second from the tie-breaker, and then back-to-back doubles allowed two runs to score to take the victory 7-6.

Starter Hannah Powell pitched four innings, allowing four hits while walking three. Madyson McDermott picked up the loss in relief, tossing three innings.

Kaitlyn Stebelton and Bre'Anna Warren led CRC's offense with two hits apiece, assisted by Eden Hernandez's team-leading two RBI.

GAME TWO

Crowley's Ridge - 4

Central Baptist - 6

Getting the start in the circle for the Lady Pioneers (4-8) in game two, Adrienne Stucker began her afternoon with two scoreless innings, while allowing just one hit.

With the Mustangs (10-3) picking up three runs in the third inning, starter Allie Burroughs had a little breathing room as she entered the fourth inning of a no-hit bid. Bailey Jones ended that idea in the strongest way imaginable, knocking her first home run of the season over the left-field fence to pull the Lady Pioneers ever closer down 3-1.

After gaining two runs in the fifth, the Mustang defense hoped to avoid a late comeback reminiscent of the first game. At the same time in the Lady Pioneer dugout, the CRC minds were on the same idea of a late rally. The latter worked out as Crowley's Ridge scored three runs off of four hits in the top of the sixth. K.J. Jackson's speed helped avoid a double play, and later scored in Lacey Lamright's RBI single down the left-field line. The next batter, Eden Hernandez, kept the train rolling with a single to right field, plating Madyson McDermott (pinch-running for Bailey Jones after drawing a walk.) With the bases loaded, April Kennedy drew a walk to score Hannah Powell. With the bases loaded still loaded with the tying run on third, the Mustangs escaped further damage by coaxing a popout from Kaitlyn Stebelton before striking Bre'Anna Warren out with the lead intact 5-4.

An error, a dropped third strike, and a single allowed the insurance run to score for the Mustangs. K.J. Jackson would double to left field but remain stranded as CBC recorded the final out on a 6-4 decision in favor of the hosts.

It was a team effort from the Lady Pioneers, with seven different players recording a hit, and four different players driving in a run.

UP NEXT

Crowley's Ridge College will keep their collective eyes on the forecast, as Pioneer Park is slated to host the 2021 Pioneer Classic this weekend. Four teams will hope to compete in eight games across Friday and Saturday.

Friday, March 19

9 a.m. - Crowley's Ridge vs Ecclesia (Ark.)

11 a.m. - Southwestern Christian (Okla.) vs Rust

1 p.m. - Crowley's Ridge vs Rust (Miss.)

3 p.m. - Ecclesia vs Southwestern Christian

Saturday, March 20

9:00 a.m. - Crowley's Ridge vs Southwestern Christian

11 a.m. - Southwestern Christian vs Ecclesia

1 p.m. - Rust vs Ecclesia

3 p.m. - Crowley's Ridge vs Rust