An early 10-3 lead turned out to be not quite enough for the Fort Campbell Lady Falcons Thursday afternoon. Clarksville Christian used a ten-run 5th inning to take over the game on their way to a 22-12 win.
The Lady Falcons scored five runs in the top of the first and five more in the top of the second to take the early 10-3 lead. Clarksville Christian pitcher Gabi Shipman had her troubles with control early, walking four and hitting seven Lady Falcon batters in the first couple of innings.
The Lady Falcons got a big hit from Hope Balzeski in the first innings. Balzeski drove in three runs with a bases loaded triple to help get Fort Campbell out to the lead. Fort Campbell’s runs in the second came on a succession of hit batters and walks, plus a steal of home.
After the first couple of innings, Shipman found her control and gave up only two runs over the next four innings.
Trailing 11-6 going into the bottom of the third, Clarksville Christian plated five runs to tie the game at 11-11. Clarksville took advantage of six walks, a hit batter, and a single to tie the game up.
After Fort Campbell took the lead on a steal of home in the top of the 4th, Clarksville Christian effectively settled the issue in the bottom of the 5th.
Clarksville Christian combined five hits and seven walks to scored ten runs and take a 21-12 lead. Clarksville Christian would add a run in the bottom of the 6th to bring the game to an end.
Clarksville Christian scored their 22 runs on 9 hits. Fort Campbell plated 12 runs on six hits.
Hope Balzeski had a big day for Fort Campbell at the plate, going 3-3, with a triple, 3 RBIs, and a run scored. Kalli Banister was 2-3 with a pair of runs scored. Anika Weisbrich finished 1-2, with two runs scored.
In the circle, Fort Campbell pitchers had their problems with control over the course of the game. Two hurlers combined to give up 28 walks and three hit batters. They did come up with 8 strikeouts over the six innings.
The loss drops the Lady Falcons to 0-2 on the season.
