Independence Patriots Defeat Hough In Non-Conference Matchup 8-7

Indy's Seven Hope celebrates her 3-run homer with teammates.
Share this:

The Lady Patriots held off the Huskies from Hough who tried to erase a 4-run deficit in the late innings of an exciting softball game at Independence.

Kimber Mulkey applies tag on pick-off attempt.

Both clubs scratched out a run in the first inning. Then in the top of the third inning the Huskies padded their lead scoring 3 more runs to take a 4-1 advantage. Indy rallied to cut the deficit to 2 runs in the bottom of the inning cutting into the Huskies lead 4-2.



However, in the fourth inning the Patriots exploded scoring 6 runs. Key hits by Sarah Johnson, Morgan Clark, Terris Adkins, Sofia Tristan, and a 3 run home run by Seven Hope, followed by a 2-run bomb by Natalie Johnson gave the Patriots an 8-4 lead.

The Huskies were not done, they began their comeback to make this game entertaining and keeping the final outcome in doubt until the final out was recorded. A huge defensive play was made by Olivia Baker in the fifth inning when she gunned down a Hough runner at home plate. Meanwhile, Anna Partridge, Mathea Brodland, Ashlyn Rogers, and Mia Khan played a major role in the final 3 innings of this contest. The ladies combined for 4 hits and 3 RBI’s during the final three frames forcing Independence to make a pitching change in the seventh inning. The bats blistered on both sides as Indy pounded out 10 hits and Hough 8 in the ballgame. Hough scored 2 runs in the sixth inning and delivered two hits and a run in the seventh to make it close.

Hough runner gets into third base just ahead of a throw.

In the seventh inning, Hough lead off with a double, the next batter fouled out to Indy catcher Natalie Johnson, the next hitter smacked a base hit driving in a run. Relief pitcher Maliyah Alexander struck out the next batter for the second out and ended the inning with a sharp ground out to the shortstop to first on a fine play.

Morgan Clark started the game for Indy. The right-hander surrendered 7 runs on 8 hits over six and third innings on the mound. While Alexander came in relief to earn the save getting the final two outs.

Natalie Johnson went 3-4 and blasted a 2-run home run, Sarah Johnson 2-3 with a double, Clark 2-4, and Seven Hope 1-2 with a 3-run homer to lead the Patriots offense.

Share this:



Previous articleChamber of Commerce March Member Luncheon
Next articleCelebrating Easter In Mint Hill
Ed Berti
Ed is retired and remains active as a freelance writer, local journalist and independent contractor. He is engaged in print and electronic media writing stories covering business, sports, hometown news and veteran's affairs including articles of interest to various media outlets. Ed is a graduate of Wagner College where he earned an MBA and holds a BBA from Pace University.
Ed can be reached at ed@minthilltimes.com, eberti7777@gmail.com and linkedin.com.