Knights edge tourney host Lady Raiders 2-1 in thriller

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By MATT KING

mking@dailyjournalonline.com

BONNE TERRE – From an excitement standpoint, the championship game of the inaugural North County Invitational softball tournament may be difficult to replicate in upcoming years.

The Lady Raiders were seeking to avenge a lackluster performance from 16 days earlier when rival Farmington and senior ace Elly Robbins dominated for a 10-0 rout in SEMO conference play.

North County made sharper contact, and was far more active along the base paths in the rematch on Saturday. But Robbins located big pitches at the most crucial moments.

First baseman Andie Hogan provided a tiebreaking RBI single in the fifth inning, and was 2-for-3 overall from the clean-up spot as the Knights claimed a 2-1 triumph and the title plaque.

Robbins scattered four hits with five walks, and struck out six over seven innings. Her lone run was surrendered when Kensey Marler drew a bases-loaded free pass in the fourth.

Olivia Hartupee scored both runs for Farmington (6-12), which jumped ahead 1-0 when Robbins singled to left-center against Emma Roper in the opening frame.

North County (6-7) had numerous chances to retaliate, but finished 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 overall.

Madi Carroll paced the Lady Raiders offensively at 2-for-3, and began the top of the seventh inning by lashing a leadoff single past first base.

Pinch-runner Sophie Rackley stole second and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Amy Layton. Robbins buckled down and struck out Bailey Wimmer and Raegan Pierce to seal the victory.

The six-team event, played on two turf surfaces over two warm days, offered a welcomed change of fortunes amid recent struggles for both the Knights and Lady Raiders.

Farmington earned the top spot in its pool on Friday with victories over Rolla 8-5 and Cape Central 24-8 at Mineral Area College. North County did likewise at home by beating Jefferson 16-0 and Fox 4-2.

Roper lasted the duration and struck out four while yielding five hits and three walks. She induced a shallow fly ball to retire Robbins before Hogan delivered the go-ahead hit to left-center.

The contest earlier remained tied at 1-1 when Bailey Wimmer picked a tricky ground ball to get an unassisted putout at third base with three runners aboard in the bottom of the fourth.

Marler tracked a long drive toward the fence, and made a spectacular catch over her shoulder to deny fellow left fielder Olivia Mann of extra bases leading off the Farmington fifth.

Roper previously sat down nine consecutive batters until Hogan singled ahead of back-to-back hits by Kylen Knight and Audrie Morgan in the fourth.

Emma Pyeatt and Ava McClure each singled while reaching base three straight times for the Lady Raiders, who went unrewarded for solid contact in the top of the fifth inning.

Carroll sliced a one-out triple toward the right-field line, but deeper line drives by Roper and Wimmer were caught by corner outfielders Mann and Jaylynne Payne.

Third baseman Emilee Gillam snared a line drive in the third to help Robbins, who alertly stopped a comebacker to the circle and escaped a bases-loaded jam in the sixth.

Fox rallied past Rolla 4-3 in extra innings for third place, and Jefferson downed Cape Central 13-4 in the fifth-place game earlier Saturday.

North County 16, Jefferson 0

BONNE TERRE – Emma Roper went 3-for-3 with three RBI at the plate, and pitched a four-hitter as North County blanked Jefferson 16-0 in five innings to open pool play on Friday.

Bailey Wimmer notched two RBI while going 2-for-3 with a double, and Amy Layton reached base four times on two singles and two walks for the Lady Raiders.

Madi Carroll finished 2-for-3 with a double, two walks and two RBI. North County increased its 5-0 lead with six runs in the top of the fourth inning.

Ava McClure notched two hits, and Kensey Marler singled.

North County 4, Fox 2

BONNE TERRE – Bailey Wimmer doubled twice and tallied two RBI on Friday as North County edged Fox 4-2 to capture first place in its pool.

Olivia Jaco pitched a complete game and scattered seven hits for the win. She recorded one strikeout and allowed no walks.

Emma Pyeatt and Madi Carroll each went 2-for-3, and the Lady Raiders answered a run by Fox in the top of the first inning with two in the home half.

Raegan Pierce doubled and Ava McClure singled for North County.