(April 23rd, 2015) – WEST UNITY: For the first two innings of Fayette’s stay on Hilltop’s home field, the two teams were engaged in a defensive struggle. A strong third frame by the Lady Cadets turned the tide of the contest, however.
By the bottom of the fifth inning, Hilltop would enjoy a 12-0 advantage over the Eagles, forcing the game to be called early.
Neither side could get things going in the contest’s early going. The first inning went by without a run scored. The defensive effort continued to shine for both squads in the second inning as well. Fayette was unable to score a run in the top of the third, leaving the scoreboard blank going into the bottom of the inning.
It wouldn’t stay that way for much longer, though.
Hilltop would go on to score 9 runs before the beginning of the fourth inning. The Lady Eagles were unable to answer the offensive assault during their next turn at the plate. The Cadets took full advantage of this, tacking on another 3 runs in the bottom half of the fourth inning. Fayette couldn’t mount a comeback in the fifth, failing to score a run. Due to the mercy rule, the 12 run advantage was enough to forego the remaining two innings of play, and declare Hilltop the winner.
Veronica Roth was able to drive in 2 RBIs for the Lady Cadets. She did so off of a double, her only hit in 3 plate appearances. Teammate Adreyn Yates, a senior for Hilltop, also earned a pair of RBIs. Going 1 for 2 in the batter’s box, she hit for a single.
Two Lady Eagles acquired hits against the Hilltop pitching. Leah Bussing and Kaitlin Brubaker each knocked in a single. Brubaker made the most of her time on base, stealing a bag while working the base paths.
Bailey Funkhouser pitched for all five innings as she assumbed the victory. Allowing no earned runs and just 2 hits, the junior was dominant from the mound. She struck out 3 Fayette girls, walking 1 along the way.
Bussing remained on the mound for all four innings of the Fayette loss, taking the defeat upon herself. She allowed 9 earned runs off of 13 hits. The Eagle senior also earned 3 strikeouts and gave up 1 walk.