Warriorettes rally, fall 4-3 in thriller

White County’s Friday night battle with Stone Memorial had all the makings of a postseason classic — early adversity, a determined comeback, and a final inning that put the tying and go-ahead runs within reach.

The Warriorettes fell behind early but fought all the way back to even the score before ultimately coming up just short in a 4-3 loss, a game that hinged on a single swing in the late innings and one last chance that didn’t quite fall their way.

Stone Memorial struck first in the opening inning, using a leadoff single and a defensive miscue by the Warriorettes to push across the game’s first run. The Lady Panthers added to that lead in the third, capitalizing on a pair of home runs to stretch the advantage to 3-0.

The Warriorettes broke through in the fourth inning, starting with Anna McCulley reaching on a single. Addison Howell followed with a walk, and after AK Wallace was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Miah Jo Swindell worked a bases-loaded walk that forced in McCulley from third. The sequence trimmed the deficit to 3-1 and gave White County a spark.

That spark turned into a full comeback an inning later.

In the fifth, Addison Norvell reached on a dropped third strike, and Kylie Norvell drew a walk to put two runners on. After a fielder’s choice moved Addison Norvell to third and put runners on the corners, Addison Howell delivered the biggest swing of the night — a two-run double to left that scored both Norvell and McCulley, tying the game at 3 apiece.

The Warriorettes had erased a three-run deficit and turned the game into a deadlock heading into the final innings.

White County threatened again in the sixth. Miah Jo Swindell worked a walk, Abbi Hutson followed with a single, and Kylie Norvell was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out. But the Lady Panthers were able to escape the jam, keeping the game tied heading into the final frames.

Stone Memorial answered in the bottom half, using a solo home run to reclaim a 4-3 lead.

That set the stage for one final push.

In the seventh, Callie Phillips was hit by a pitch to start the inning, and courtesy runner Kami Clark advanced into scoring position after Annie Burrier drew a walk. A groundout moved both runners up, putting the tying run at third and the go-ahead run at second with two outs.

But a ground ball to the infield ended the threat — and the game — just shy of another comeback moment.

Annie Burrier got the start, pitching four innings in which she gave up three runs, only two of them earned, on five hits while striking out three. Mabry Taylor pitched two innings giving up on run on three hits and a walk.

The Warriorettes will move to the losers bracket where they will take the field again on Tuesday evening in a must-win game in order to keep their season alive.

WHITE COUNTY BOX SCORE:

HITS: Addison Norvell 1, Anna McCulley 1, Addison Hoell 1, Abbi Hutson 1
RUNS: Anna McCulley 2, Addison Norvell 1
RBI: Addison Howell 2, Miah Jo Swindell 1
2B: Addison Howell
TB: Addison Howell 2, Abbi Hutson 1, Addison Norvell 1, Anna McCulley 1
HBP: AK Wallace, Callie Phillips

The Main Street Journal – Sparta's Spring Sports coverage is brought to you by Sparta Heating & Air Conditioning.