Friday, April 7, 2017. Joaquin Rams Softball Field -
The Joaquin Lady Rams Varsity Softball Team used big rallies in the first, fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, to win Friday’s District 22 2A game with the Timpson Lady Bears. Joaquin was able to take a 12-2 walk-off win, and remain unbeaten in conference competition.
The Rams Varsity Softball program recognized their five seniors, Darby Hughes, Randi Goates, Hana Bonner, Macie McDaniel, and Zakayla Taylor, before the game began with a Senior Day Ceremony conducted by Head Coach Steven McCann.
Timpson scored first after Lacey Wagstaff led off the top of the first inning with a single, and later scored on an error, on a bunt put into play by teammate Jasmine Rodgers.
Joaquin took a 2-1 lead, in the bottom of the first inning, when Lily Welch reached on an infield hit and later scored on an error. Darby Hughes later drove in Lexi Hutchins with an RBI single to right field.
Timpson cut the JHS lead to just 3-2, in the top of the fourth inning, when Molly Sanford reached base on a base hit and later scored on a teammate’s double to right field.
Molly Mason gave Joaquin a 4-2 lead with a homer over the right-center field fence in the bottom of the fourth inning. Annalynn DeChamplain added another fourth inning score, after reaching on a bunt, and scoring on a teammate’s bunt. This gave Joaquin a 5-2 advantage.
Hana Bonner, Darby Hughes, and Randi Goates each scored in a Rams rally in the fifth frame which gave JHS an 8-2 advantage. Joaquin was able to set down the Lady Bears in 1-2-3 order during the top of the sixth inning. JHS then added on the four needed runs in the sixth inning which enforced the district’s mercy rule. Lexi Hutchins pitched the entire game for the Lady Rams and struck out ten Timpson batters.
Joaquin is the only unbeaten team in the conference with an 11-0 mark with just three games remaining. They will next face Mount Enterprise, at Wildcats Ballpark, on Tuesday, April 11 at 5 p.m.
Timpson is 4-5 and are fighting to stay alive while trailing Joaquin, Alto (with 6 wins), and Douglass and Cushing (with five wins each). Gary has three wins and they are mathematically alive as well. Wells and Mount Enterprise only have one win between them and have no chance to reach post-season play.
The Lady Bears will next travel to Alto for a 5 p.m. game on Tuesday, April 11.
