Big play ends Lady Tigers’ 2007 season

by Perry Lewter

The Ardmore Lady Tigers ended their softball season Saturday in dramatic fashion dropping the best of three series to the Central Lady Wildcats. With the win the Lady Wildcats advance to Thursday’s state tournament. With the loss the Lady Tigers’ season comes to an end.

Ardmore took the opening game 3-1 before Central took the second game 6-4 and the finale 2-1.

Central 2, Ardmore 1

With one out and an Ardmore runner on first in the top of the seventh, a line drive to the Central second baseman was caught and the runner was tagged out to end the contest.

Central never trailed in the contest after the leadoff batter scored in the bottom of the first. Jordan Broadfoot drew a walk and scored with two outs when Jennifer Uding got a base hit.

Ardmore tied the score in the top of the third. Losing pitcher Casey Steadman hit a single and scored with two outs on Kelsey Turner’s sacrifice to right field.

Uding gave the lead back to Central scoring on a wild pitch with one out.

Callie Morris who shared the pitching duties with Kathy Hathcock limited Ardmore to just three more hits. Turner hit a single on the sixth. In the seventh Steadman and Aarika Boggs each hit a single.

Boggs hit a single and double, Steadman two singles and Brittany Miles a double for Ardmore. Turner and Callie Steadman each hit a single.

Central 6, Ardmore 4

The Central Lady Wildcats scored a pair of runs in the top of the eighth to give the host team a 6-4 win over visiting Ardmore Saturday afternoon.

Aarika Boggs was the starting pitcher, throwing to four batters, before being relieved by Casey Steadman.

The Lady Tigers were forced to play catch up after Jessi Law singled and scored for Central.

That lead increased, 3-1, in the third inning after Ardmore made back-to-back errors. Jordan Broadfoot singled and scored when Law hit into an infield error. Kathryn Young drove in Law on another infield miscue.

Callie Steadman and Kelsey Turner scored for Ardmore in the bottom of the fourth. Steadman hit a double followed by a single from Turner and Brittany Miles. Steadman scored on Miles’ base hit. Turner scored when Amber Wise got a hit. Turner scored when Amber Wise hit a single.

Brandi Sharp scored for Central in the fifth after getting a base hit. She scored after a pair of sacrifice flies.

Ardmore tied the score in the sixth when Casey Steadman hit a homerun and Turner drove in Jennifer Ratley after hitting a single.

Callie Morris hit a single and Jordan Broadfoot got life on an infield error.

Jessi Laws’ double drove in both runs to give Central the win.

Casey Steadman had a homerun for Ardmore while Callie Steadman hit a double and two singles. Turner hit two one-baggers while Ratley, Miles, Wise and Jada Norton each had a base hit.

Broadfoot hit a double and two singles and Sharp a pair of singles for Central.

Ardmore 3, Central 1

Ardmore pushed across three runs in the first inning and never trailed in their 3-1 win over the Central Lady Wildcats Saturday in the opening game.

Casey Steadman, Jennifer Ratley and Brittany Miles all scored for Ardmore. Steadman singled and scored when Ratley hit into an error. Brittany Miles drew a walk. Ratley scored on Turner’s hit. Miles scored on a throwing error.

Jordan Broadfoot walked and scored on Jessi Law’s outfield sacrifice in the bottom of the first for Central.

Steadman struck out 12 Central batters.

Jada Norton and Kelsey Gilbert each hit a pair of singles for Ardmore. Ratley, Turner and Amber Wise each had a base hit.

Broadfoot’s single was the only hit for Central.

For the day Casey Steadman pitched 21 and 1/3 innings at Central. She struck out 30 batters, walked five and allowed 11 hits. She hit a homerun and two singles.

Saturday’s games mark the last for Ardmore seniors Amy Collier, Shannon Fogg, Candice Mills and Amber Wise.