By BY BRUCE HIXON – SPORTS EDITOR
Considering they were outscored by a combined 29-3 margin in their first two games, the W.S. Neal Lady Blue Eagles softball team took some big steps forward Tuesday when they earned a split against the visiting Frisco City Lady Whippets.
W.S. Neal rallied for a 10-7 win in the first game
prior to Frisco City's 24-13 victory in five innings in game two.
The two games turned into a walkfest, as pitching on both sides combined for 48 free passes.
The Lady Blue Eagles (1-3) trailed 3-1 after two and a half innings of game one before they strung together a decisive eight-run rally to take the lead for good.
While W.S. Neal benefited from six walks and a hit batsman, it also got some clutch hits. Jennie Crawford had the biggest blow, an RBI double, while Katie Lowery and Renee Boatwright each had RBI single.
W.S. Neal only had two additional hits and both of those came in the first inning when the Lady Blue Eagles scored their first run. Jessica Lambert had a one-out triple and scored on an RBI single by Jessica Jaro.
April Jackson picked up the win, as she went the distance on a six-hitter and fanned 10.
W.S. Neal set its season high for runs for the second game in a row in the nightcap, but it all went for naught when Frisco City plated 19 runs over its first three at-bats. The biggest blow was a 10-run third inning.
The Lady Whippets had 31 baserunners through 15 hits, 15 walks and a hit batsman.
One plus for W.S. Neal was Renee Boatwright, who lashed out four hits with three singles and a triple. Jackson, who suffered the loss, had the only other hit with a single.
The Lady Blue Eagles suffered a 16-0 loss at Monroe County Monday in a game that lasted just three innings.
W.S. Neal had just two hits, which were singles by Delilah Holloway and Katie Elliott.
The Lady Blue Eagles, who played at Florala Friday, are off until this Friday when they travel to Hillcrest for a 4 p.m. contest.
Monday's game
W.S. Neal 000 – 0 2 2
Monroe County 754 - 16 6 0
Tuesday's game one
Frisco City 210 020 2 – 7 6 1
W.S. Neal 108 001 - 10 5 4
Game two
Frisco City 54(10) 05 - 24 15 2
W.S. Neal 436 00 - 13 5 2