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The Andalusia Lady Bulldogs gave up the winning run in the final inning in a loss to Slocomb Tuesday, 6-5, but rebounded with a 7-1 victory over Kinston on Thursday.

Andalusia 5
Slocomb 6

The Lady Bulldogs took a 5-4 lead, thanks in part to two homers, into the top of the seventh inning, but Slocomb’s Emma Nichols hit a two-run double to lift the Red Tops to a 6-5 lead. Andalusia was able to get the tying run to third in the bottom of the seventh, but the game ended on a ground-out to the shortstop.

Slocomb took the early lead in the contest, scoring two runs in the first inning on an error.

Andalusia batters went down consecutively in the bottom of the first, but after holding Slocomb in the top of the second, tied the game in their half of the inning. Olivia Cravey got things going, reaching on a fielding error. After Cravey stole second, Blakelynn Bass singled to right field and advanced to second on the throw while Cravey came home for Andalusia’s first run of the game. McKenzie Barrow kept things going with a RBI double to right field, tying the game at 2-2. Jesse Ann Dubose put runners at first and second when she was hit by a pitch, but the inning ended on a double-play ball.

Batters were quiet in the  third inning and Andalusia pitcher Kailey Jackson sat down the Red Top side in the top of the fourth.

Andalusia took a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth on a single swing by Barrow, homering over the centerfield fence, also scoring Blakelynn Bass who had reached on a single.

Slocomb cut into the lead in the top of the fifth when Carlee Jowers scored on a fielder’s choice.

Andalusia got that run back in the bottom of the inning thanks to Taya Newton who sent a Red Top pitch over the centerfield fence, making the score 5-3.

Neither team got much going in the sixth, leading to the Red Top seventh when they scored six runs to take the one-point advantage. Andalusia got two outs to start the inning, but two walks, one intentional, set up Calie Seay who hit a groundball that was misplayed by the Andalusia defense, allowing Molly McGowan to score, cutting the Lady Bulldog lead to 5-4. Then, Emma Nichols launched a double to left field, notching Slocomb two runs and a 6-5 lead.

Andalusia had two baserunners in the bottom of the seventh, but the inning ended on a ground ball.

Jackson pitched a complete game for Andalusia, giving up only six runs with only one of those earned. She struck out six Red Top batters.

Barrow led Andalusia batters, going 2-for-3, with a homer and three RBI. Bass also went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Newton recorded a solo homerun. Cravey had two stolen bases in the game.

Andalusia 7
Kinston 1

The Lady Bulldogs rebounded Thursday with a 7-1 victory over Kinston.

Olivia Cravey earned the win on the mound for Andalusia, pitching a complete game, six-strike out performance. The only run surrendered was unearned.

Kinston took the first lead of the game on an RBI single by C. Norris, making the score 1-0 and would prove to be Kinston’s only run of the game.

Andalusia got things going in their half of the first as Taya Newton led off with a double, advancing to third on a single by Sarah Katherine Reese. A pop fly off the bat of Kailey Jackson was mishandled by the Kinston defense, bringing both runners home and giving Andalusia a 2-1 lead.

Andalusia added to its lead in the bottom of the third when a two-out fielding error allowed Alyssa Cross and Cravey to score, making the score 4-1.

The Lady Bulldogs added another run in the fifth on an RBI double by Cravey, bringing in Cross to make the score 5-1. Jackson would come home on a wild pitch and Cravey wrapped up the scoring, coming home on a fielder’s choice, leading to the final score of 7-1.

It was a solid performance for Cravey, not just on the mound, but also at the plate as she went 2-for-3 with a double, scored two runs and notched an RBI. Reese also went 2-for-3, scoring one run. Newton and Cravey each had doubles.

The Lady Bulldogs are 10-12 overall on the season and 3-5 in area play. They finish the regular season as the third seed in 4A Area 3. They continue regular season play Tuesday, April 23, traveling to take on the Straughn Lady Tigers, who are 16-7 on the season.