SOFTBALL SECTIONAL: Wildcats nip Clovers 7-6 in eight innings, reach finals

Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Kiley Shedron rips an RBI double in the third inning against South Vermillion on Tuesday evening.
Banner Graphic/JOEY BENNETT

When Cloverdale looks back upon its 7-6, eight-inning sectional loss to South Vermillion on Tuesday evening, the Clovers will be able to see many things.

They can see a fierce comeback from a 4-0 deficit to eventually take the lead and several big plays that led to runs.

Unfortunately, the Clovers can also look back upon many missed opportunities they had to get past the Wildcats and move into Thursday’s championship game.

Cloverdale stranded 14 runners in all, with 10 of those being in scoring position.

South Vermillion scored first on a solo home run by Makaylee Wright in the second inning, and added three more runs in the third on a two-run single by Hannah Grange and an RBI single by Wright.

The Clovers began chipping away at the 4-0 deficit, scoring one in the bottom of the third inning as Makenzie Allen reached on an error and scored on a Kiley Shedron double.

Cloverdale added two more in the fourth as Autumn Lewellen singled with two outs, Macie Couch followed with another single, Allen reached on a fielder’s choice to load the bases and Morgan Goss singled to bring home Lewellen and Couch.

The Clovers took their first lead with two more runs in the sixth inning. Allen singled with one out and Goss followed with her fourth straight single.

Shedron walked to load the bases, and Sky Lowe hammered a single to left that plated two runners and gave Cloverdale a 5-4 lead.

South Vermillion wasn’t done however. The Wildcats got a leadoff walk from Bre Smith in the top of the seventh, and Mallory Clarkson doubled to deep center field one out later to bring home Smith and tie the score.

Couch induced the next hitter to pop up, but Hailey Boardman hit a short popup into the gap between the infield and left field that fell for a hit and brought home Clarkson with the lead run.

Cloverdale refused to die, and tied the game with a single run in the bottom of the seventh.

Hannah Long singled and pinch-runner Haley Smith stole second, going to third on an overthrow. Lewellen walked, and Couch followed with a single to right to score Smith and put runners at first and third.

South Vermillion opted to walk Allen to load the bases for the 3-4-5 hitters in Cloverdale’s order with no outs but the home team was unable to push across another run.

South Vermillion came up with the crushing blow in the top of the eighth inning, as freshman Bailey McCormick hit a long home run to give her team the lead for good.

Cloverdale did not get a runner on base in the bottom of the eighth inning, but the inning was not without its own drama.

Holly Garretson hit a long fly ball down the right-field line that went far over the fence, but just a few feet foul.

Cloverdale, which finished the season 16-6, left the bases loaded in the first and seventh innings, left runners at second and third in the third, fifth and sixth innings, left runners at first and second in the fourth.

Goss had four singles and two RBI for the Clovers, while Lowe had one single and two RBI, Allen had two singles, Couch had two singles and an RBI and Long also had two singles.

The Clovers got 14 hits off two South Vermillion pitchers.

South Vermillion 013 000 11 — 7 11 3

Cloverdale 001 202 10 — 6 14 0

WP — Boardman. LP — Couch.