Angels fall to Hope Mills, 3-2

By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com

The Rockingham Angels struggled offensively for the second consecutive game and this time it cost time, as they dropped a 3-2 heartbreaker in extra innings to undefeated Hope Mills in the Dixie Softball State Tournament for 9-and-10-year-olds in Eden. slideshow_st13

The Angels had eight hits and drew five walks from Hope Mills pitchers Tuesday afternoon but couldn’t cross the plate more than twice — and one of them was a freebie.

“It was a battle,” said assistant coach Scott Frye of the team’s first loss in the double-elimination tournament. “They’re a little down.”

They have reason to be. The Angels had just tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth to force extra innings when two errant throws allowed two Hope Mills runners to score.

A second comeback attempt in their half of the sixth wasn’t successful, as Rockingham plated one of the minimum two runs required to extend the game.

Frye also said his team is “worn out,” but the Angels will have to bounce back quickly as losers’ bracket play continues at 4 p.m. today against Dunn.

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the fifth and final inning of regulation, The Angels managed to knot the game 1-1 when Hope Mills walked in the tying run. Shayann Byrd and Kearston Bruce singled to put runners on first and second with no outs. After the first out, Breleigh Clark bunted both Byrd and Bruce to third and second, respectively, and Quston Leviner walked to load the bases. Morgan Singletary then recorded an RBI on a walk to tie the game and force extra innings.

It looked like things would go their way in the bottom of the sixth, too. Trailing 3-1, Allyiah Swiney doubled to right field to lead off the inning. Jakerra Covington hit a come backer to the mound for the first out and Payton Chappell struck out.

But there was still hope, as clutch hitter Mattie Liles laced a single to left to score Swiney and pull the Angels within 3-2. Madison Carriker drew a walk. With runners on first and second with two outs, Byrd hit into a fielder’s choice to end the game.

Filed in: Latest Headlines, Sports

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