(March 31st, 2015) – WEST UNITY: Despite falling behind by 4 runs, the Lady Cadets never gave up. Determined to battle back, they took over the lead from the Apaches with just an inning to play.
They wouldn’t be able to hang on, however, as Fairview defeated the girls of West Unity 8-6.
The game started out in quite an uneventful manner, as defense ruled early on. For the first three innings, neither side was able to drive in a run. Then, in the top of the fourth, the Lady Apaches stunned Hilltop by putting 4 runs on the board. Still unable to score in the bottom half of the fourth, the Cadets appeared to be in trouble as they found themselves on the wrong end of a 4-0 score.
Then the hometown girls got things going. Bringing in 2 runs in the fifth, after holding the girls from Sherwood scoreless in the inning, the Lady Cadets were poised to complete the comeback. And they appeared to do so in the bottom of the sixth, with their own 4 run inning placing them ahead 6-4. However, the Apache girls had one more surprise in store for their hosts.
At the top of the final inning, Fairview managed to drive in another 4 runs, replicating their fourth inning display. Suddenly behind once again, Hilltop couldn’t muster another rally. They fell to their guests from Defiance County by a pair of runs.
The bats of Bailey Funkhouser and Ariana Brown were very active for Hilltop during the contest. Brown, a sophomore, went 2 for 2 from the plate, earning an RBI while also scoring a pair of runs herself. Funkhouser connected with the ball on 2 of her 3 at bats, also driving in a run and scoring one as well. Each girl hit for a single and a double.
Cadet Junior Allie Schmitt, who went 2 for 4 from the plate herself, led the team with 2 RBIs. Both of her hits were singles.
With a pair of errors, the Hilltop defense didn’t have their best day. Yet, they still outperformed their opponent from the Green Meadows Conference, who committed 4 errors. Each team only gave up 4 RBIs.
Funkhouser was the pitcher to take the loss for the Cadet girls. In 6.2 innings, the junior gave up 3 earned runs on 8 hits. She also walked 2 batters, while striking out 4, while giving up a home run as well. Jessica Suboski was called in to get the final out for Hilltop. The senior closer faced just one batter, putting her defense in position to get off the field.