Lady Raiders 2nd in 4A, Area 13 SB:
GDW Analysis:
GOOD HOPE: Two evenly matched softball teams battled each other, along with rain, mud and a thunderstorm warning Thursday to see who will be 2nd in AHSAA 4A, Area 13 behind top seed Priceville.
Good Hope Lady Raiders grabbed two from West Morgan, taking the opener in 8 innings 5 to 4.
The nightcap was a 5 to 0 shutout as Good Hope is 5 & 2 in the area with a game coming up Friday at 4:30 at home against Hanceville to complete the area schedule.
West Morgan had the momentum in the opener leading 3 to 0 when Good Hope batted in its half of the 6th. Sophomore Chasity Rikard had allowed the Lady Raiders four hits through the 5th and got out of a bases loaded jam in the 5th thanks to three consecutive ground ball outs.
In the GH 6th, an RBI double by Alex Steed scored Adyson Burgess. Seventh grader Kylie Smith smacked a ball into center, scoring Natalie Miller and Steed. She raced home on a throwing error at 2nd and Good Hope was ahead 4 to 3.
West Morgan regained the lead thanks to Rikard hitting a 2 run homer in the 7th off Burgess for it being a 5 to 4 game.
The Lady Raiders answered in their side of the 7th. Carly Adams started with a triple and would come in on a sac fly by Molly Johnson.
Freshman Molly Benefield relieved Burgess in the 8th, striking out the side.
Steed singled, went to 2nd on a passed ball and a walk to Smith set up the Lady Raiders chance to win it with Campbell Koch stepping to the plate.
However, lightning was seen by the umpires with the teams coming off the field at 3:38 p.m. The game was delayed for 1 hour, 43 minutes from a thunderstorm that soaked the Good Hope diamond.
Hard work by coach Tim Tucker, his staff and parents had the field playable as the game resumed at 5:21 p.m.
Two minutes later, Adams singled to center with Steed scoring and the Lady Raiders enjoying a great comeback victory.
West Morgan was the home team in game two due to a game with Good Hope Wednesday at Trinity postponed by rain.
Benefield was given the ball for this one and showed a great outing of shutting out the Lady Rebels, giving up four hits, two walks and a season high 14 strikeouts.
Good Hope took the lead with a run in the 3rd on a single by Koch scoring Steed.
The Lady Raiders added a pair in their half of the 5th by RBI groundouts from Koch and Adams.
Two runs crossed home in the 7th when Steed scoring on an error following a hit by Koch. Benefield completed the tally by a run scoring single to bring in Smith,
Benefield in the 7th, had two strikeouts and a great play by Adams at first base to complete the shutout.
Good Hope has 15 wins on the season in 23 games.
Photo of Good Hope coach Tim Tucker and others getting the field ready following a storm delay Thursday at Good Hope HS.
GDW photo by Johnny Thornton.
