Prior to Thursday night, the only time Christian County and Crittenden County had met on the softball field since 2002 was in 2013. That day, Christian County blasted the Lady Rockets 18-0 at Marshall County. You might say that things turned out just a little differently Thursday evening.
Senior pitcher Chandler Moss and 7th grader Anna Boone combined to give up just three runs, despite 13 hits from the Lady Colonels, as Crittenden County pulled off one of the biggest stunners of the softball season so far, taking down Christian County 5-3 on the Lady Colonels’ Senior Nite.
Crittenden County jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a first-inning RBI single from Chandler Moss. Ashlyn Hicks doubled and then scored on a ground out in the top of the third to push the lead out to 2-0.
The Lady Colonels looked as if they were ready to seize control in the bottom of the inning. A leadoff walk and then a single from Riley Hancock had runners on first and second with no outs. However, Pickle Winkler would be called out on offensive interference, and Riley Hancock would be thrown out at home attempting to score off a Lady Rocket error to bring about two quick outs.
Karlie Crick would come up with an RBI single, but that would be it in the inning as the lead was trimmed to 2-1.
Crittenden County then got some breathing room in the top of the fifth. The Lady Rockets put together a string of five singles and a fielder’s choice to plate three runs and extend the lead out to 5-1.
Christian County again opened the bottom of the inning like they were set for one of their normal big offensive innings. Riley Hancock singled and Reni Shemwell doubled to put runners at second and third with no outs. Karlie Crick singled to score Riley Hancock and cut the lead to 5-2 with still no outs. But, Tenley Gilbert grounded to shortstop Ashlyn Hicks, who came up firing to the plate and cut down Reni Shemwell attempting to score. The Lady Colonels had two of the next three batters strikeout and left the bases loaded, still trailing by three runs.
The Lady Colonels had one more big chance to pull the game out of the fire. In the bottom of the sixth, Pickle Winkler came up with a one-out double. Riley Hancock followed with a double of her own to cut the lead to 5-3. Reni Shemwell then reached on an infield single.
Karlie Crick came up with what appeared to be a big base hit to centerfield, but Christian County had Reni Shemwell first get caught in a run down, and then when she broke for home, Riley Hancock was caught up and tagged out for the second out of the inning. A ground out then ended the inning and the threat.
Christian County would go down quietly in the bottom of the seventh as the Lady Rockets held on for the upset win.
Karlie Crick finished 3-4 with 2 RBIs. Riley Hancock was 3-4 with a double, one RBI, and a run scored. Reni Shemwell ended the game 2-3 with a double and a run scored.
Ashlyn Hicks lit it up for the Lady Rockets, going 4-4 with a double and two runs scored. Chandler Moss was 2-4 with an RBI.
Gracie Harned got the start for Christian County in the circle, going 4 1/3-innings, giving up four runs, on seven hits, striking out three, while walking two.
The loss drops Christian County to 16-6 on the season as they get ready for a huge road game Friday evening at Henderson County and then Saturday matchups with Lyon County and Logan County.
