By By Brian Craig Robinson / special to The Star
Aug. 23, 2002
Coach Mack Fanning and the visiting Newton County Lady Cougars were literally too much for the Southeast Lauderdale Tigers to handle as Southeast committed nine errors in the first four innings as NCHS went on to win 14-1.
Newton County wasted no time taking the lead on Thursday night, reaching base on consecutive singles by Holly Jackson and Shelly Ferguson in the top of the first. Kristen Chaney promptly followed with a sharp double that plated two runs, giving Newton-County a quick 2-0 lead.
After Dominique Mapp plated another run on a sacrifice fly, the Cougars ended the first with a 4-0 lead.
In the top of the third, the Cougars cranked up again with a leadoff double by Ferguson, who promptly scored on a two-base error by the Tiger defense, giving the Cougars a commanding 5-1 lead. Dominique Mapp later followed with a sharp single down the left field line making the score 6-1. Jennifer Smith followed with a single of her own giving the Cougars a 7-1 lead. By the time the inning was over the Cougars were cruising 9-1.
While the Tiger offense continued to stall, the Cougars kept the bases hot, filling the sacks in the top of the sixth for Chaney who just missed a grand-slam by singling high off the wall, which was followed by a smash to right by Joy Cavenaugh.
The offensive highlight for the homestanding Lady Tigers was in the bottom of the sixth. After a single, Samantha Smith ignited the burners and the crowd with a one out, inside the park homer, sliding in at home.