By By Steve Swogetinsky/special to The Star
March 14, 2004
Emily Howard struck out 13 batters Saturday to lead the Clarkdale High Lady Bulldogs to a 2-1 victory over Newton County in girls fast-pitch softball action.
Clarkdale loaded the bases with no outs in the second inning. Lindsey Dawkins made it to first on an error, and advanced on Savannah Satcher's single.
Alyssa Bye walked to load the bases. Then the Newton County defense dug in. Shortstop Kasie Buckley caught a popup for the first out, and the Lady Cougars forced Dawkins out at home for the second out.
Howard earned a walk to bring home Satcher for the first run of the game, and Brandi Wright singled in Bye for a 2-0 lead. Kimbo Seale was tagged out at the plate to end the inning.
Defense dominated until the top of the seventh when Newton County mounted a serious threat. Lindsey Stevens singled and advanced on Dominique Mapp's single.
But the Lady Bulldogs came up with a double-play, as the next batter popped out to second baseman Brandi Wright. Jennifer Smith followed with a triple that scored Stevens to cut the Lady Bulldogs' lead to one.
Howard struck out the next batter she faced to end the game.
Melissa Robinson was the losing pitcher for Newton County. She recorded three strikeouts and gave up four walks. The Lady Cougars fell to 6-3 for the season.
Clarkdale outhit Newton County 4-3. Brandi Wright, Megan Potate, Satcher and Bye all hit singles for the Lady Bulldogs, and Stevens, Mapp and Smith collected hits for the Lady Cougars.
Both teams will be involved in the Spring Fling Girls Softball Tournament on Friday and Saturday, which will be hosted by Clarkdale at the Northeast Softball Complex.
In a game played earlier in the day, Newton County dropped a 3-2 decision to Clinton at home.
The Lady Cougars scored one in the first and one in the fourth. The Lady Arrows scored one in the second, one in the third and one in the fourth.
Clinton outhit Newton County 6-4. Mapp and Little each had two hits. Joy Cavenaugh took the loss, as she struck out four Clinton batters. She allowed six hits and issued four walks.