Sports Writer

The Carroll High School Lady Eagles swept of pair of games from the Goshen High High School Lady Eagles winning by scores of 8-5 and 10-0 in fast pitch softball action at the Troy SportsPlex early Wednesday night.

In the first game, both teams had numerous scoring opportunities early but were unable to dent the scoreboard. Goshen (3-16) had a runner on third with two outs in the bottom of the first inning when Jessica Drivas tried to score on a wild pitch but was thrown out on a nice play by catcher Brittany Sheppard to end the threat.

The game remained scoreless until the top of the fourth when Ozark (7-8) broke through scoring one run as April Lancaster

came across on an error by Goshen’s outfield giving the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Goshen immediately responded scoring a single run in the bottom of the fourth when Candi and Mandy Kilpatrick along with Kristen Ricks each singled to load up the bases with one out. One batter later, Tiffany Brooks earned an RBI on a fielder’s choice bringing in Candi Kilpatrick to tie the game at 1-1. However, Ozark pitcher Beth Stinson got the final batter out on strikes to end the inning.

In the top of the fifth, Carroll answered back scoring two runs in the top of the fifth to take the lead for good. After Clarissa Barrow reached first on an error, she got to second on a single by Crystal Leatherwood, raced to third on a fielder’s choice and scored on a wild pitch. The Lady Eagles answered scored another run when Amber Howell ripped a triple into the left center field gap scoring Beth Grider to cap the inning.

The score remained 3-1 until the top of the seventh when Carroll scored five runs to temporarily blow the game wide open. The key blow of the inning came on a three-run inside the park home run scoring Grider and Lancaster.

However, 2A Goshen put a major scare into 5A Ozark in the bottom of the seventh. After Brooks and Vanessa Russell walked, Courtney Blackmon drilled a two RBI triple into the left center field gap to cut the deficit to 8-3. One pitch later, Jessica Drivas reached in a infield bringing in Blackmon before Candi Faulkner an RBI single to bring the tying run to the plate with one out. However, Stinson retired the final two batters in order to end the game.

Stinson earned the win going the distance allowing five runs on eight hits walking four and striking out three. Faulkner pitched five solid innings before injuring her shoulder to take the loss allowing three runs on four hits walking one and striking out five batters.

Offensively, Faulkner and Jessica Drivas each had two hits for Goshen in a losing cause.

Carroll-Ozark 10 Goshen 0 (6 innings)

In the second game, Michelle Brown pitched a no hitter as the Lady Eagles completed the sweep.

Brown shut Goshen down as she faced only three batters above the minimum walking two

striking out 11 while walking only two

Howell led the way for Ozark going 2-for-4 scoring twice and driving in three runs for the Lady Eagles.

Goshen returns to action this afternoon when they host sectional opponent Thorsby in a doubleheader. The first pitch is set for 2 p.m. at the Troy SportsPlex.