Offense rolls in 5-inning win to start DH over UPike

Georgetown's offense got going early on a breezy day at the complex and never let up. The Tigers bashed 11 hits, 6 of the extra-base variety in an 11-1 run-rule win.

The defense came up big to start the game. In the top of the 1st, UPike led off with a triple to right center. A bunt single followed to put runners on the corners. The next batter grounded out to 3rd for the first out. The runners got caught in between bags and Georgetown began its rundowns. The Tigers got the lead runner out trying to get back to 3rd, then executed another rundown to tag out the runner at 2nd and end the inning with a triple play.

The offense took advantage as Stevie Shepherd led off the bottom of the 1st with a double to right. She moved to 3rd on an Alanna Pierce sac bunt. 2 batters later, and with a stiff wind blowing straight out to right, Kinley Lucas lofted a ball into the sky and watched it fly well over the fence for a 2-run bomb to give the Tigers the lead. Delaney Vaughn then went inside-out with a double to right center. She came home when Ainsley Herron tripled off the right field fence to give Georgetown a 3-0 lead after 1.

Emma Cummings retired the side in order in the top of the 2nd, including a strike out of the final 2 batters. The Tiger bats padded the lead. Kady Dennis singled to center and went to 3rd on a UPike error that allowed Lilli Koch to reach and get to 2nd. Stevie Shepherd followed with a grounder to 2nd that scored Dennis for a 4-0 lead. Koch then came home on a passed ball for a 5-0 lead after 2.

UPike got on the board in the top of the 3rd with a solo homer to right but Georgetown put the game away in the bottom of the 4th. With 1 out, Lilli Koch singled to left. Stevie Shepherd followed with a double to move Koch to 3rd. Alanna Pierce then reached to load the bases. Michalee Clay drew a walk to bring Koch home for a 6-1 lead. The Tigers then played station-to-station ball as Kinley Lucas singled to score Shepherd and advance everyone 60 feet. Delaney Vaughn then lofted a pop fly to shallow right but deep enough to bring Pierce home for an 8-1 lead. Ainsley Herron then re-loaded the bases with a walk. Haylee Stansbury laced a single to right that scored Clay and Lucas for a 10-1 edge. Herron then came home on a passed ball to cap a 6-run inning that put Georgetown ahead 11-1 heading to the 5th.

UPike needed 3 runs in the top of the 5th to continue the game. The Bears started with a single, but Emma Cummings shut the door from there as no ball left the infield to close out the win. Cummings picked up her 6th win of the year as she allowed 6 hits and 1 run, while striking out 5. She needed just 65 pitches for the win. Kinley Lucas drove in 3 runs. Ainsley Herron finished with a double and triple.