GHS boys fall on the road to Red Level

By ROBBY SMITH

Sports Writer

Leigh Burton went 2-for-2, scored three runs and drove in five RBIs as the Northview High School Lady Cougars scored 16 runs in the final three innings to rout the Goshen High School Lady Eagles 22-9 in a local fast pitch softball action at the Troy SportsPlex late Tuesday afternoon.

The game, which was added during the course of the season, got called after five innings due to the 10 run rule as the Lady Cougars completed a two game sweep of the Lady Eagles. Northview defeated Goshen 16-4 on March 16 in the first game of the Charles Henderson High School Lady Trojan Fast Pitch Softball Classic.

The Lady Cougars opened the game by scoring one run in the top of the first when Lindsey Latta reached on an error and scored on Burton’s single to give NHS a 1-0 lead.

However, the Lady Eagles (2-10) immediately responded scoring four runs in the bottom of the first to take a 4-1 lead. With one out, Jessica Drivas walked, Ashley Miniard reached on an error and Candi Faulkner singled to load the bases. One batter later, Candi Kilpatrick drew an RBI walk bringing in Drivas to tie the score at 1-1. After a confusing force out call at home plate, the Lady Eagles scored their final three runs with two outs when Kristin Ricks earned an RBI walk and Mandy Kilpatrick delivered a two RBI single driving in Candi Kilpatrick and Tiffany Brooks to cap the inning.

The 6A Lady Cougars (6-10) from Dothan wasted very little time though retaking the lead as they scored five runs in the top of the second. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Latta drilled an RBI single to left field bringing in Debroah Riley cutting the deficit to 4-2. One batter later, Burton collected the big hit of the inning with a bases clearing double bringing

three runs to give Northview a 5-4 lead. Burton would later score on one of five Goshen errors in the game.

For the second consecutive time, the Lady Eagles reclaimed the lead scoring three runs in the bottom of the second. After Amanda Drivas started the inning with a walk, Courtney Blackmon reached on a infield hit to put runners on first and second with nobody out. Three batters later, Faulkner drilled a two RBI double down the left field line bringing in Drivas and Blackmon to tie the game at 6-6. Faulkner would later cap the inning by scoring on a Northview error to give Goshen a 7-6 lead.

Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worst in the top of the of third inning as the Lady Eagles quickly saw their chances of upsetting a 6A school go up in smoke as Northview scored eight runs. The key blast of the inning came on a three run inside the park homer by Christin Lee against losing pitcher Heather West.

In the bottom of the third, the Lady Eagles had a golden opportunity to get back into the game as they loaded the bases with nobody out. However, Northview ended the threat with a double play.

During the last two innings, the Lady Eagles never recovered as Northview scored eight of the game’s final 10 runs.

Faulkner led the Lady Eagles going 3-for-3 scoring three runs and driving in two while Mandy Kilpatrick went 2-for-3 and drove in a pair of runs. Ashley Miniard and Amanda Drivas scored one run apiece for the Lady Eagles in a losing cause.

The Lady Eagles return to action next Thursday afternoon when they travel to Ozark to face Carroll High School. The first pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.

Red Level 13 Goshen 12 (baseball)

For the first time in six years, the Goshen High School baseball team will not make the state playoffs.

Trailing 12-8 going with one out in the bottom of the seventh, the Red Level High School Tigers scored five runs to defeat the Eagles 13-12 in a crucial Class 2A Area 2 matchup in Covington County late Tuesday afternoon.

With one out, the Tigers got a pair of lucky breaks on a questionable call on a 3-2 pitch and a high chopper to put runners on first and second.

However, it was numerous Eagle errors which helped prolong the inning from that point and allowed the Tigers (10-7, 3-3 in the area) to come from behind earning the victory.

With the loss, the Eagles dropped to 3-9 overall and 1-3 in area play as they were eliminated from postseason contention by losing their third straight game.

Goshen head coach Chad Dube said he was disappointed with the lack of focus and intensity by the Eagles with the entire season on the line.

"I think it’s a lack of commitment and not being ready to play," Dube said. "The kids aren’t hungry

and they’re not competitive enough. When you have players that are not hungry, it bothers my heart to see them have the opportunity in front of them and not take advantage of it. It was the little things that really hurt us."

Offensively, Averick Rogers led the way going 3-for-3 with a pair of walks, two doubles and four RBIs, while Brandon Nickolson had two hits including a triple. Junior shortstop Jason Burgans, who played despite fighting a bout of tonsillitis, drove in three runs and sophomore Wesley Wright had two hits in a losing cause. Wright, who started on the mound for the Eagles, was the victim of 12 Goshen errors which proved costly in the outcome.

The Eagles return to action Tuesday afternoon when they host Georgiana in an area game. The first pitch is set for 3:30 p.m. in Goshen.