Dragonette’s Fire Falls Short: Lady “Cats” Claim 4-3 Victory

The Pickens High School Dragonettes softball team hosted the Lady Bobcats of Gilmer High School. Despite taking a two run lead, 3-1, into the fifth inning, the Dragonettes fell to the region rival 4-3. The loss meant a sweep on the day for the visitors, as the junior varsity “Nettes” fell 8-3. The JV “Nettes” lack fire early, resulting in an 8-0 deficit going into the bottom of the third. The “Nettes” nabbed three runs in the bottom of the fifth to provide the final score of the game. A one out rally loaded the bases for the “Nettes”. Stephanie Riddle stole home on a passed ball for the Dragonettes’ first run of the day.

Anne Brown-Goolsby followed with a RBI sac ground out that scored Lauren Southern for the second “Nettes” run. Alex Lemieux ended the JV scoring with a RBI single that scored Bri Lingerfelt.

The varsity game began as a defensive schedule, as neither team scored until Gilmer’s Erin Barclay’s RBI single in the top of the fourth scored Taylor Powell. The “Nettes” nixed the lead immediately in the bottom of the same inning.

Kayla Howard’s RBI double scored Haley Kalson to tie the game at 1-1. Brook Wilson’s RBI single gave Pickens the lead at 2-1 and Paula Pickett picked the Pickens lead up to 3-1 with her own RBI single.

The game remained 4-3 in Pickens’ favor until top of the sixth inning. Gilmer’s Meghan Flowers hit scored on an RBI double from Skyler Banks that cut the Pickens lead to one.

The Nettes entered the seventh inning clinging to a one run, 4-3, lead; however a RBI single by Emily Cantrell tied the game at 3-3. The visitors took the lead on the next at bat when Taylor Powell’s RBI bunt scored Cantrell.

The Dragonettes had one last chance to catch fire in the bottom of the seventh. After a lead off fly out, Olvia LeMieux reached first on a bunt single, before proceeding to steal second on a passed ball. After another fly out, Haley Kalson walked and Kennedy McTaggart loaded the bases with a single. The rally fell short when Kayla Howard’s fly ball was caught in centerfield.