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Late night drama at Campbell
CAMPBELL, Mo. - The Campbell Lady Camels defeated the Clarkton Lady Reindeer Friday 10-9 at home.
But the game wasn't business as usual for either team.
The two teams' varsity squads met at 6 p.m., after the JV teams' games, and with identical, tough 2-9 records.
One could have surmised easily that these girls could have very well gone onto the field just going through the motions, not showing much intensity or effort.
But the resulting contest was the furthest thing from that speculation.
The lead changed hands three times and the score was tied three times.
These two teams, thanks to intense attention from coaches and great dedication from players, laid it all on the line for seven hard-fought innings until a Campbell runner crossed the plate.
Campbell took the lead after one inning on Kamryn Weeks' one-out single, stealing second base, and scoring on a Clarkton error.
The Lady Reindeer tied the game in the top of the second on back-to-back singles with one out, when the fifth place hitter No.13 scored all the way from first on a hard-hit single by No. 4.
Clarkton took the lead 2-1 in the top of the third when with two outs, the second place hitter, No. 7, singled to right field, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a solid single to center by the third place hitter No. 8.
The fourth inning was fought tooth and nail when Clarkton scored two runs in the top, while Campbell scored three in the bottom, resulting in the second of three ties on the evening, 4-4.
Clarkton scored its two runs by sending seven girls to the plate on one hit, three walks and a wild pitch.
Campbell scored its three runs on a hit by Sabine Johnson, a double by Katelyn Lynch, a hit by Kaitlyn Weidenbenner and an error on the Clarkton pitcher.
The back and forth battle continued in the fifth, when the third place hitter for Clarkton, No.8, led off the inning with her second hit of the night. No. 8 was on base four times going three-for-four and reaching first on a strikeout.
She followed by five more batters coming to the plate with two runs scoring on two hits and a walk, and one girl reaching first base on a catcher's interference call, and the Lady Reindeer were up by two.
Campbell came roaring back in the bottom of the inning, starting off with a walk to Ava Baggett, followed by eight girls coming to the plate.
The Lady Camels scored four runs on three hits, three walks, three stolen bases and one costly wild pitch and reclaimed lead for the second time, 8-6.
Clarkton picked up right where it left off in the fifth when the leadoff hitter, No. 5, reached on a Campbell error and five batters later Clarkton was up by one, 9-8.
Continuing that back and forth by each team, Baggett led off the sixth with a single and a stolen base.
A clutch two-out solid single up the middle by Johnson advanced Baggett and tied the game for the third time, 9-9.
Clarkton went down one-two-three in the top of the seventh, which led to the Camels' dramatic finish.
Lynch led off the inning with an infield single, stole second base, advanced to third on a single by Baylee Boone and the winning run scored on an 8-3 center field-to-first base double play.
The winning run was driven in by Weidenbenner on a sacrifice fly double play.
These two teams, thanks to intense attention from coaches and great dedication from players, laid it all on the line for seven hard-fought innings and the outcome was not decided until Campbell scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh.
Sarah Bunting started for Campbell, lasted 3-1/3 innings, allowed four runs (four earned) on three hits, plus four walks and two wild pitches with one strikeout.
Weidenbenner relieved Bunting in the third inning and faced four batters, gave up initial back-to-back singles, but then retired the next two on a pop up and a ground out. Weidenbenner finished the game and lasted 3-2/3 innings, gave up five runs, (0 earned), seven hits, struck out three and walked two, to earn the win.
The starting pitcher for Clarkton, No. 4, pitched the complete game and allowed 10 runs, (6 earned) on 10 hits, issued five walks, eight strikeouts and one wild pitch to take the loss.
Clarkton (2-10) next game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Friday at home against South Pemiscot, after hosting the Tri-County Tournament Monday through Wednesday.
Campbell (3-9) next game is scheduled on the road at Scott County Centralat4:30 p.m. Thu