Cedar Ridge softball uses huge final inning to down Cardinal Gibbons
Cedar Ridge softball showed that sometimes a final impression can mean much more than a first impression, scoring 12 runs in the seventh inning to down host Cardinal Gibbons 15-0 Monday night.
The Red Wolves (9-1, 4-0 Big 8) led 3-0 entering the final inning of play after RBIs from Brooklyn Byrd and Alyssa Jones in the fourth. Preceding the fourth, Gibbons (1-4-1, 1-0 PAC-6) and Cedar Ridge seemed equals on offense and defense, but Rivers Andrews three straight strikeouts in the bottom of the fourth ensured the Red Wolves’ momentum would carry over for the rest of the contest.
Andrews finished with a game-high 14 strikeouts.
“What gave me motivation was knowing that my team counts on me when I’m in the circle,” she said. “I have to do my absolute best no matter what the situation is. By bettering myself, I better my team.”
By the time the evening was over, all nine players in the Red Wolves lineup had at least one hit, with five players recording multiple. Some got their first base hit at the varsity level.
“We had a couple of injuries and our backs were against the wall,” Cedar Ridge coach Jeff Gravitte said. “We had a lot of young talent step up for us that didn’t even know they were going to play varsity softball today.”
Despite the lopsided final score, the Crusaders are focusing on the positives and what they can take from this game moving into PAC-6 play.
“We played with them and the first six innings showed what we’re capable of,” Gibbons coach Melissa Williams. “Our team can compete with anybody if we believe in ourselves.”
Turning point
Andrews’ strikeouts in the bottom of the fourth.
They said it
“When the other team starts yelling, I know they’re down on their game and that just fuels me to go harder and pitch faster and pitch better,” Andrews said.
Three to know
Rivers Andrews, Cedar Ridge: Andrews struck out an average of two batters every inning and also had an RBI double and was walked three times.
Brooklyn Byrd, Cedar Ridge: Byrd has six RBIs, including four in the final inning. She finished 3-for-3 with a single and two doubles.
Elizabeth Pederson, Cardinal Gibbons: Pederson tracked down numerous infield hits and also hit a triple.
By the numbers
124: Runs the Red Wolves have scored in 10 games.
9: Players to record a hit for Cedar Ridge: Andrews, Tyler Frazee, Byrd, Breeanna Ellis, Alyssa Jones, Kara Wagoner, Ashley Durham, Kymerlie Thacker and Kaleigh Ragan.
2: Players to get a hit for Gibbons – Pederson and Mia Brosius.
6: Cedar Ridge players with RBIs – Byrd, Andrews, Jones, Frazee, Ragan and Durham.
This story was originally published March 21, 2016 at 11:52 PM with the headline "Cedar Ridge softball uses huge final inning to down Cardinal Gibbons."