By: FVSU Office of Sports Information
In the quarterfinal match-up between the number one seed Lady Wildcats of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) and the second seed Thorobrettes of Kentucky State University (KSU), the scoring frenzy started early in this race for the 2011 SIAC Softball crown. The Thorobrettes struck for one run in the first inning after an FVSU throwing error led to the score by Jenni Shingary. In the bottom half of the opening inning, the Lady Wildcats scored after a lead-off hit by Brittany Brown who was subsequently driven in on a single by Oveyana Gordon.
Tied 1-1 at the start of the second inning, the Thorobrettes exploded for four runs to take a 5-1 lead. A triple by Jasmine Anderson and a single by Caitlyn Pierotti initiated the KSU surge.
The Thorobrette lead vanished quickly as the Lady Wildcats went on offense in the bottom half of the inning. FVSU answered with a five run rally fueled by singles from Tawanna Barker and Brittany Brown and a three-run home run by Katara Wilson. After two innings of play, the Lady Wildcats held a 6-5 lead.
The FVSU lead fell victim in the top half of the fourth inning. The Thorobrettes responded with a four run inning sparked by two singles and a two-run homer by All-SIAC selectee Shenaaz Burrell. After a scoreless bottom half by the Lady Wildcats, KSU enjoyed a 9-6 lead at the start of the fifth inning.
That lead held until the bottom half of the seventh inning. With the threat of dropping to the losers bracket hanging in the balance, the Lady Wildcats fell on some good fortune. After scoring a run through more traditional methods (a single by Ronkeya Garner who was driven in by a single from Tawanna Baker), FVSU trailed 9-7. That's when things really got interesting!
With Barker at first and facing their final out, Jessica Buchanan drew a walk (Brandi Jones was then substituted as her pinch runner). Afterwards, Hall singled to drive in Baker. Now trailing 9-8, Kristy Powell was inserted into the lineup representing the team's final out with Jones on third base and Hall on first. On a three and two count, Powell swung and missed for a strike out but a passed ball allowed her to advance to first and in the process Jones scored from third to tie the game at 9-9. After the Wildcats made their final out in the seventh inning, the game moved to extra innings.
After the Thorobrettes went three up and three down in the top of the eighth, the Wildcats looked to their bats for the win. After a pop up by Wilson, All-SIAC Garner smashed a double to center field. Oveyana Gordon followed with a single and she was followed by Kim Hughes who had an infield single. Now with the bases loaded and in need of one run for the win, Tawanna Barker delivered with a sacrifice fly to center which scored Garner from third base and gave FVSU a 10-9 win.
The Wildcats now enter the semifinals and await the winner of the quarterfinal game between Clark Atlanta University and Tuskegee University. The Thorobrettes continue tournament play with another quarterfinal game; this time against Albany State University.
