Sports Writer

Following a two week layoff, the Goshen High School Lady Eagles resumed fast softball action Friday afternoon with a rare Central Alabama road trip as they traveled to Chilton County to face Thorsby High School.

After numerous erratic pitching performances earlier in the season, the Lady Eagles got a pair of gems from Candi Faulkner as Goshen split a doubleheader losing the first game 2-1 before coming back to take the nightcap 5-3.

The Lady Eagles lost the game despite out hitting Thorsby in the contest as crucial base running mistakes proved to be the difference in the outcome. Thorsby pitcher Holly Cleveland earn the win striking out 11 batters.

Goshen scored its only run in the top of the fifth when Tiffany Brooks led off with a walk, stole second, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Amanda Shumpert and scored on a RBI single by Lashae Lott.

The Lady Eagles (2-7) had an opportunity to score in the sixth when Jessica Drivas singled to left field but was thrown out at second base to end the threat. Courtney Blackmon went 2-for-3 at the plate in a losing cause.

In the second game, Faulkner recorded her first win of the season giving up only two hits in five innings. After struggling with her control for most of the season, Faulkner walked only five batters in the contest.

The Lady Eagles jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Ashley Miniard scored on Faulkner’s run scoring single. After Thorsby scored once in the bottom of the inning, The Lady Eagles scored twice in the second to take a 3-1 lead. Tiffany Russell walked, stole second before a walk to Blackmon and advanced to third on Stephanie Grissette’s infield hit to load the bases. One batter later, Russell scored when Drivas was hit by a pitch. Miniard added a RBI fielder’s choice bringing in Blackmon to cap the scoring in the inning.

The Lady Eagles led 3-2 until top of the fifth when they scored twice for what proved to be the difference in the game. Faulkner reached on an error and advanced to second on a passed ball before scoring on a RBI single by Mandy Kilpatrick. Kilpatrick would later come around to score on passed balls.

Thorsby added a single run of the fifth cutting to 5-3 as they threatened to take the lead with the bases loaded and one out. However, the Lady Eagles made a play at the plate and Faulkner recorded a key strikeout to end the threat.

The Lady Eagles return to action Thursday, April 19 when they travel to Ozark to face Carroll High School. The first pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.

Houston Academy (BB) 11 Goshen 2

The Goshen High School Eagles had its two game winning streak snapped as they dropped an 11-2 decision to Houston Academy (15-6) in Dothan early Friday night.

The game was delayed by 90 minutes due to the late arrival of the umpires. As a result, GHS head Chad Dube said the Eagles suffered from the day losing their momentum it had established following wins over Red Level and Luverne last week.

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We were motivated coming off a couple of great wins," Dube said. "It kind of took the air out of our sails."

Averick Rogers and Michael Hatten collected one hit and scored the runs of the day for the Eagles (3-7) in a losing cause.

Junior pitcher Jason Burgans pitched well following a long hiatus from the mound after struggling with his control earlier in the season. The Eagles trailed only 3-2 going into the bottom of the fourth when Houston Academy broke the game open taking advantage of untimely GHS miscues.

After playing Pike County Monday afternoon, the Eagles return to action this afternoon when travel to Red Level for a crucial area game. The first pitch is set for 3:30 p.m.