Elrod's record not enough as Lady 'Neers drop two

April 22, 2022

by Dustin Semore, Sports Information Director

OKMULGEE, Okla. – Shelby Elrod broke Crowley's Ridge College's single-season strikeout record Friday against the Bacone (Okla.) College Warriors. The accomplishment was overshadowed by a perfect game from Bacone's Kayla Palmer in a 2-0 defeat. The Lady Pioneers would then fall in game two in an 8-4 final.

Game One

Crowley's Ridge – 0

Bacone – 2

The Lady Pioneers (10-29, 1-8 CAC) had a difficult time getting any bat on the ball as 13 of the Lady Pioneers' 21 at-bats ended with strikeouts.

Bacone (14-10, 5-1 CAC) had slightly better success, connecting for five hits including the difference-making two-run bomb in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Shelby Elrod (6-14) went the distance in the circle for the Lady Pioneers, striking out three. On the second punchout, Elrod tallied her 67th strikeout of the season, breaking a record set in 2014 by Samantha Blevins.

Game Two

Crowley's Ridge – 4

Bacone – 8 

Despite holding a 3-0 lead going into the third inning, Crowley's Ridge (10-30, 1-9 CAC) saw victory snatched from their hands when the Bacone (15-10, 6-1 CAC) Lady Warriors began hitting everything in sight, launching a seven-run third inning. 

The Lady 'Neers got on the board in the first inning when Dru Bryant led off game two with a single to third base. After April Kennedy reached via an error, Brooklyn Melson pounded the first of her three hits into left field to score Bryant.

Crowley's Ridge added another run in the top of the third inning when Melson's single was followed by a sacrifice bunt from Rachel Russell. The senior Russell reached first then second; however, thanks to a wild throw from the Warrior catcher, allowing Melson to touch all three remaining bases to score. After Layne Tedder singled to move Russell to third, Maddie Reed laced a single into right field to plate the Lady Pioneer shortstop.

The Warriors would then answer in a big way: rocking CRC starter Abby Ewing (2-5) and her reliever, Shelby Elrod, for seven runs in as many hits.

CRC would add a run in the top of the fifth when Bailey Jones was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, but a supplemental run by the Warriors in the bottom half of the frame ended the scoring with Bacone on top 8-4.

Melson had a perfect 3-for-3 day at the dish, while Reed tallied two hits in the loss.

Up Next

Crowley's Ridge and Bacone will take the field once more tomorrow, Saturday, April 23, for a doubleheader beginning at 2:00 p.m.