Varsity Lady Tigers Pick
Up Early Season Wins

by Jennifer King The Varsity Lady Tigers Softball Team won their first three season games last week. On Monday, Ardmore defeated Hazel Green 2-1 and 9-0 in a double header. On Thursday the Lady Tigers defeated Clements 5-2. Ardmore will travel to Orange Beach this weekend to play in the annual Gulf Shores High School Invitational Tournament. Ardmore 2 Hazel Green 1 The Lady Tigers were off to a slow start on Monday against the Lady Trojans, as both teams remained scoreless until the top of the seventh inning. Hazel Green's Kristen Morrow,

Center Fielder, Melissa Sharp, makes an outstanding catch in Ardmore's 9-1 win over Hazel Green on Saturday. (photo by Jennifer King)

reached base on a double and later scored. Ardmore was back for revenge in the bottom of the inning. Amber Wise hit a single and courtesy runner, Kayla Martin, later scored on a sacrifice bunt by Amy Collier. This tied the game 1-1, sending it into extra innings.

Ardmore continued to play tight defense in extra innings. The Lady Tigers had a close call in the top of the tenth inning, as the Lady Trojans left three runners on base. The Lady Tigers finally ended the game in the bottom of the eleventh inning. Jennifer Ratley reached base on a walk and courtesy runner, Jada Norton, scored on Sara Jo Taylor's bunt. The Lady Tigers picked up a 2-1 win.

Aarika Boggs picked up the pitching win for Ardmore, striking out fifteen batters, walking two, and allowing five hits. Amber Wise was the catcher.

Ardmore 9

Hazel Green 0

The Lady Tigers' bats were on fire in their second game, as they racked up twelve hits. Ardmore took a 9-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Lead off batter, Melissa Sharp hit a triple and scored on a double hit by Shannon Fogg. Jennifer Ratley hit a single, followed by a single from Casey Steadman that scored Fogg. Aarika Boggs reached base on a fielder's choice. Jada Norton hit a single, scoring Ratley. Kayla Martin hit a single, racking up two RBI's, as courtesy runner, Sara Jo Taylor, and Boggs each scored. Melissa Sharp hit a single, scoring Norton. Martin and Sharp each scored on a single hit by Fogg. Ratley picked up another single for Ardmore, scoring Fogg before the close of the inning.

The Lady Tigers played impressive defense as the Lady Trojans remained scoreless for the entire ball game. Shannon Fogg and Kayla Martin each picked up another single later on in the game, to wrap up Ardmore's twelve hits. Casey Steadman pitched a one-hitter for Ardmore, as she struck out eight batters, and walked zero. Amber Wise served as catcher.

Ardmore 5

Clements 2

On Thursday, the Lady Tigers picked up a 5-2 win over the visiting Clements Colts. Clements picked up two hits in the first inning of play, to take a 2-0 lead. Ardmore fought back in the bottom of the inning, with two runs of their own. Melissa Sharp hit a single and Shannon Fogg reached base on a walk. Sharp scored as Jennifer Ratley was thrown out at first base. Fogg scored on a single hit by Casey Steadman. The Lady Tigers proved too strong with their defense as they kept Clements from scoring again. Ardmore picked up two more runs in the bottom of the second inning, taking a 4-2 lead. Jada Norton hit a single and scored on a single hit by Melissa Sharp. Sharp stole her way around the bases to pick up another run. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Fogg reached base on a walk, and scored as Ratley was thrown out at first. The Lady Tigers ended the game, with a 5-2 victory. Aarika Boggs took the pitching win for Ardmore, striking out one batter, walking two, and allowing four hits. Amber Wise was the catcher.

Ardmore 2

0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 6 3

Hazel Green 1

0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 25 3

WP: Boggs, LP: Morrow, Home runs: None

Ardmore 9

9 0 0 0 0 X X X X 9 12 1

Hazel Green 0

0 0 0 0 0 X X X X 0 1 1

WP: Steadman, LP: Howard,

Home runs: None

Ardmore 5

2 2 0 0 1 0 0 X X 5 4 2

Clements 2

2 0 0 0 0 0 0 X X 2 4 0

WP: Boggs, LP: Harbin, Home runs: None