STORY -- Clinton softball @ Spring Creek

By Brandon Davis
Published in Sports on March 13, 2016 1:47 AM

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bdavis@newsargus.com

SEVEN SPRINGS -- What a comeback!

Down 8-1 in the bottom of the third inning, Spring Creek -- led by three freshmen -- dominated Clinton with nine shoe prints at home plate to take a one-run lead.

The Gators eventually won 13-9 on Friday evening.

The nine runs included senior Ashley Marriner with steals to third base and home, freshman Alex Jordan who drew a walk and scored, and freshman Ivey Rouse who followed Jordan.

Senior Daisy Martinez and freshman Mikayla Starnes copied the first three runs from their teammates. Sophomore Ahshari Robinson then gave the Gators the sixth run of the inning.

The third inning lasted over 30 minutes as the Gators batted around the lineup.

With one out, sophomore Madison Jones hit the ball to reach first base. Marriner re-entered the game and socked the ball to left field. Jordan then hit the ball to the shortstop to send in Jones and Marriner. Jordan scored, and the Gators led 10-8 going into the top of the fourth inning.

Spring Creek scored again -- once in the bottom of the fifth and twice in the bottom on the sixth.

The Dark Horses found themselves down by five runs, 13-8, in the top of the seventh inning. Marriner took the mound for her fourth inning after freshman Ivey Rouse pitched the first three innings.

Clinton freshman Amber Strickland hit a pop fly towards the Dark Horses' dugout. Martinez flew under the ball, with her head up and caught it to give the Dark Horses their first out of the inning.

Junior Jessica Hamilton made it to third base off of a hit to outfield. Sophomore Maccailyn Sessoms hit a line drive to center field to bring in Hamilton, and sophomore Naomi Miller launched the ball past Marriner.

The pitcher breathed and prepared for junior Keona Hill to take home plate. Marriner threw the ball and Hill swung. Spring Creek fans heard the ball slam the catcher's glove.

Hill struck out.

Junior Callie Summer stepped to the plate. She swung the bat, but hit it straight to Marriner who reached out her glove and caught the ball off of a bounce. She threw it to first base for the out.

"This is what non-conference games are for," Spring Creek head coach Lester Boltinhouse said. "We had a freshman pitcher (Rouse) who pitched in middle school, but that was the first time she had ever been on the pitcher's rubber to pitch in a game. That's what non-conference games are for to get those girls in there and get the jitters out and get them started to focus on getting ready to play.

"I had five freshman on the field tonight. When you take five freshmen in a game and you come back and win, that's big. That says a lot for these girls. We've got a long way to go, but I think we're headed in the right direction.

Spring Creek (2-2 overall) travels to Carolina 1-A foe Hobbton on Tuesday.