Clovers defeat Eagles 19-9 in driving snow

Friday, April 6, 2018

The Cloverdale Clovers and the South Putnam Eagles faced off in a county rivalry softball game during a “snownado” on Friday night.

The Clovers defeated the elements and the Eagles winning the game 19-9 in six innings, scoring 15 runs in the first three innings to improve their record to 1-1.

The Eagles fell to 1-1.

“It was a good win for us,” Cloverdale coach Jim Spencer said. “The elements were tough for both teams. We play again in eight days (Putnam County Tournament) and this game has no bearing on that one. I’m hoping we aren’t playing in these conditions.”

South coach Jamie Steffy echoed those sentiments.

“I don’t think we have ever played in driving snowstorm and you could tell it affected both teams,” Steffy said.

The Clovers jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning with Hannah Long picking up two RBI in the inning. Cloverdale sent nine batters to the plate in the inning.

The Eagles rallied in the top of the second inning by pushing four runs across the plate highlighted by a Drew Bratcher two-run single.

Cloverdale continued to put pressure on as three straight hits by Morgan Goss, Kiley Shedron and Skyline Lowe led to two more Clover runs in the bottom half.

The Clovers broke the game open in the bottom of the third as they pounded out five hits and combined that with a walk, hit batsman and an Eagle error. That led to eight runs, with Macie Couch and Tori Combs having two RBI each in the inning.

The Clovers led 15-4 heading into the fourth inning.

“Last night (Indian Creek loss) we didn’t get a hit after the first four in our lineup. Tonight we got a lot of production from the lower half. That was good to see,” Spencer said.

The Eagles wouldn’t go away. They posted a five-run fourth inning as Bratcher hit her second home run in as many games. This one a three-run shot to left and the lead was cut to 15-9.

Another run by the Clovers in the fourth made it 16-9.

The Eagles were not able to muster enough offense in the fifth and sixth inning, while Cloverdale plated three runs in the sixth to end the game with the 19-9 victory.

“Our youth showed and their experience showed. They made a few more plays in the field and they found a few more holes when they were batting,” Steffy said. “We weren’t discouraged, we know we can play better. It was a good learning experience for us tonight.”

Cloverdale’s Goss led the way with a 3-3 night and two doubles and Lowe also picked up a double and four RBI.

South’s Bratcher went 2-2 with the home run and five RBI and Brionna Egold had a pair of doubles to lead the Eagles.

“You can’t put too much stock in this game under these conditions,” Spencer said. “We got a good pitching performance, solid fielding and hit the ball well. They (South) hit the ball well also, but I think a lot of their hits were right at us, while we found open spots.”

South Putnam 040 500 — 9

Cloverdale 528 103 — 19

WP - Couch, LP - A. Steffy

2B - Goss (2) CHS, Lowe CHS, Bratcher SP, A. Steffy SP, Egold (2) SP

3B - Carr SP

HR - Bratcher (SP)

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  • SP Varsity Boys defeated the Cloverdale Boys 9-4 in that same "snownado".

    -- Posted by lduggan69 on Sat, Apr 7, 2018, at 7:58 AM
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