By By Chris Allen Baker / staff writer
April 17, 2002
ENTERPRISE A pitching duel and defense kept the Enterprise Lady Bulldogs tight with St. Aloysius' Lady Flashes but Enterprise fell short 2-1 Tuesday in state girls softball playoff action.
The Lady Bulldogs ended their season with an 11-12 mark in their first appearance in state playoffs since moving into fast pitch softball.
St. Aloysius, 16-4, will advance to the second round to face Enterprise-Lincoln after taking a two game sweep over the Lady Bulldogs, also winning Monday 5-2 in Vicksburg.
Speed said pop-fly balls were one of the deciding factors in Tuesday's game that, had Enterprise won, would have forced a rubber game.
The Lady Bulldogs drew first blood in the first inning when Leslie Speed singled to left field for her team's first hit. She stole third base and scored on a throwing error by St. Aloysius' catcher Candice Park.
For Enterprise, it would be their only run, despite the Lady Flashes pitcher Laura Beth Lyons giving up three walks and six hits. After Leslie Speed, eight Lady Bulldogs reached base and six runners were left stranded.
Lady Bulldogs' pitcher Charly Speed held her composure in not allowing St. Aloysius to score until the third inning.
Speed's control loosened to walk Lyons who later reached second on a single by Allison Hearn. Lyons took advantage of a throwing error by Lady Bulldogs' first baseman Kaccy Jimmerson to Shannon Creel at third base and Lyons scored.
St. Aloysius scored its second run when Kelly Haden crossed the plate thanks to an error on the Enterprise High School pitcher in the sixth inning..
After Haden reached on a single, Danielle Klaus reached first base after hitting into a fielder's choice that went sour for the Lady Bulldogs, leaving everyone safe.
Candice Parks also bunted into a fielder's choice and a Lady Bulldogs' throwing decision left runners safe again. St. Al pinch hitter Sarah Kerut to load the bases.
Speed took a deep breath and fanned the next two batters on consecutive 2-2 counts. St. Aloysius' Lyons hit into a ground play which shortstop Morgan Robinson caught and threw to Leslie Speed at second base to escape the inning.
A late rally in the bottom of the seventh inning with two singles by Jimmerson and Creel ignited Lady Bulldogs' hopes, but those hopes ended on an Ashley Mathis line drive to Lyons to ice the game.
Amanda Parker and Jimmerson were the leading Lady Bulldogs at the plate with two hits joined by Leslie Speed and Creel, each with one hit.
Charly Speed took the loss on the mound for the Lady Bulldogs despite giving up only three hits and four walks.