Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 Atlanta, Ga. --- Just a little over a month later than the two teams were originally scheduled to meet, the Clark Atlanta University Lady Panthers and the Talladega College Tornadoes took to Panthers Field on Friday afternoon for a doubleheader, with both games coming down to the last batter. Talladega stole a victory from CAU in the first contest of the day, 6-5 in eight innings, and the Panthers stormed back to take the second, 11-8.
The Lady Panthers started out the first game just how they would've liked, leading 1-0 after one inning. The Tornadoes would quickly answer with two runs of their own in the top-half of the second inning, but CAU would not panic, answering with three runs in the bottom of the third to take a 4-2 lead. Sophomore Tamera Green would add her second run of the game in the bottom-half of the sixth inning, to give the Lady Panthers a 5-3 lead going into what they hoped would be the final inning of a victory.
Talladega would have other ideas though, as they got two of their first three batters aboard, with the advancing to second and third base by the time Amani Durant came to bat. She would hit a Veranae Woods pitch right back at her, striking her hand on the way into center field, scoring both runs and forcing the game into extra innings, as Clark Atlanta was unable to score in their at-bats. In the extra inning, with the rules placing a runner at second base to start the inning, the visitors were able to plate a run, and were unable to hold CAU scoreless, despite loading the bases with zero outs.
V. Woods pitched a complete game in the loss, with Green adding two-runs on the offensive side to go along with Desiah Wofford's two RBIs for the Lady Panthers.
The second game of the twin bill started out the exact opposite of how the Lady Panthers might have wanted, but that did not seem to deter them in the end. TC scored five runs in the top of the first inning off of pitcher KaShaira Givens, but her teammates would be right there to pick her up. Green and Tenicia Winston would both score runs for CAU to close the gap, and would soon add a lot more offense to the scoreboard. Winston walked to start the bottom of the third inning, but would be stranded on first as the next two batters lined out to short stop, and struck out swinging, respectively. Things were looking bleak for the Lady Panthers at that point with two outs, but they would bust the game wide open with a six-run rally to gain a 9-5 lead.
Clark Atlanta would add another two runs, as they led the Tornadoes 11-7 going into the bottom of the seventh and final frame, when things got interesting. A quick first out got the confidence going, but an error on the next play would stop the momentum. The Tornadoes would quickly move that runner around the bases and across home plate, as they appeared to have loaded the bases thanks to three-straight singles, and had a chance to take the lead. However, after a lengthy discussion, the runner who reached first base was determined to have interfered with on the throw, as was ruled out, ending the game and the victory for the Lady Panthers.
Givens went the distance in earning the win, while Ki'esha Young's two runs, including a solo home run, aided in the final margin. Eight of the nine players who batted in the game for CAU scored, with three of them scoring twice (Winston, Young, Jessica Vason).
The Lady Panthers (5-22, 2-7 SIAC) will get no rest as they have to travel to Albany, Georgia, bright and early in the morning for a three-game set with Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) foe Albany State. The two teams will play a doubleheader starting at 2 pm on Saturday, with a single game starting at 3 pm on Sunday.
