Blue Angels survive scare from Portsmouth

GALLIPOLIS — Gallia Academy softball dodged a major bullet Thursday night against visiting Portsmouth, rallying from a 4-2 deficit after four innings to stay unbeaten this season with a hard-fought 5-4 triumph in a Southeastern Ohio Athletic League South Division contest at Memorial Field.

The Blue Angels (5-0, 3-0 SEOAL South) won their 19th consecutive SEOAL South matchup, but there was absolutely nothing easy about the hosts latest decision. The Lady Trojans limited GAHS to a season-low four hits in the contest and also committed only two errors, half as many as the Angels’ four miscues.

PHS led 1-0 after a half-inning, but the hosts countered with two runs in their half of the first to take a 2-1 cushion after one complete.

Kimber Davis reached on an error, then Courtney Shriver grounded out — allowing Davis to score the tying run early in the first. Amy Noe followed with a solo homer, allowing the Angels to take their first lead of the evening. Portsmouth scored its first run on back-to-back errors.

The hosts’ lead was short-lived, as the Lady Trojans plated two runs in the top of the second for a 3-2 edge. The guests also added a run in the fourth, establishing a 4-2 advantage after three and a half frames.

PHS also managed those four runs on just two hits, with help from three errors and three walks.

The score stayed at 4-2 until the bottom of the fifth, when three consecutive walks were issued to Davis, Shriver and Noe. Brittyn Saunders followed with a two-RBI single, allowing the hosts to knot things up at four.

Then in the pivotal bottom of the fifth, GAHS managed to load the bases with nobody out. Katie Dunlap was next at the plate, which resulted in a walk — allowing Morgan Daniels to come home with the eventual game-winning run.

Gallia Academy stranded eight baserunners in the triumph, while Portsmouth left seven on the bags.

Freshman Heather Ward improved to 2-0 this season in the circle, allowing only three hits and three walks over seven innings while fanning a dozen. Drake — who surrendered only six walks and seven strikeouts over six frames — took the losing decision.

Davis, Shriver, Noe, Saunders and Kassie Day each had a hit in the triumph. Foster led Portsmouth with two hits, followed by Howell with one safety.

Gallia Academy 5, Portsmouth 4

Portsmouth 120 100 0 — 4 3 2

Gallipolis 200 021 x — 5 4 4

PORTSMOUTH (n/a): Drake and Foster.

GALLIA ACADEMY (5-0, 3-0 SEOAL South): Heather Ward and Mattie Lanham.

WP — Ward; LP — Drake.

HR: GA — Noe (first inning, nobody on, two out).

Federal drops Southern

RACINE — The Federal Hocking Lady Lancers rode gallantly into the Southern folds of Meigs County where the Lady Lancers tamed the Southern Lady Tornadoes 11-6 Thursday night in girls Tri-Valley Conference Softball action at Star Mill Park

Southern, 1-4, trailed 3-0 after Federal batted in the first inning. Two walks, an error, and fielder’s choice was the recipe of choice in producing the runs. In the bottom of the frame, Southern took the lead as Emma Hunter singled, Lindsey Teaford singled, Lynzee Tucker walked while an error and ground out brought around the go-ahead runs, the score 4-3.

Federal tied the score in the second, and then Southern retaliated with a single run fabricated by A Cheyene Dunn double and consecutive 1-3 groundouts by Brooke Gabritsch and Bre Taylor. Southern added an insurance run in the fourth inning when Dunn doubled again and advanced on an error then rode home on a Gabritsch ground out, the score 6-4 Southern.

Federal Hocking was lying in wait for the assault. When they unleashed their weaponry in the sixth inning, they relentlessly poured it on the hosts. Seven runs in all spearheaded by six straight hits led the rampage. Southern went down 1-2-3 in each the sixth and the seventh inning as Federal brought home the 11-6 Hocking Division match-up.

Southern hitters were Taylor, Teaford, Hunter, and Holsinger with singles, while Dunn pounded out two doubles. Federal was led by Amanda Parris with a single and triple, Jordan Salyers a double and single, Kate Russell with a single, Tara Russell a single, Julie Vinson a single, and Megan Parsons a double and single.

Southern’s Gabritsch suffered the loss despite pitching a somewhat solid game marred by eight Southern errors. She had eight strikeouts and just two walks. Brooke Hill posted the win with three strike outs and one walk, while her defense made four miscues.

Southern plays in the Thunder in the Valley tournament at Symmes Valley Friday and Saturday, where the Lady ’Does will play four games in the two-day span.



Fed Hock 11, Southern 6

Fed Hock 310 007 0 — 11 9 4

Southern 410 100 0 — 6 6 8

WP — Brooke Hill; LP — Brooke Gabritsch.