September 6,  2008

Finally...Lady Tide prevails over Petal 5-3

by Carey Meitzler

Petal--Despite leaving 13 runners on base, the Lady Tide used a five run second inning and prevailed over the Petal Lady

Panthers 5-3 at Petal's Lady Panther Park.  The win was the first over Petal since the South State Finals in 2005.

With one out in the second inning, Mallorie Mixon singled to center.  Brooke Meitzler reached when the third basemen was unable

to handle her sharp grounder.   Sarah Dodd singled to load the bases.  Millie Gill single to score Mixon, but the courtesy runner

for Dodd was out at second base on a force out.   Leadoff hitter Katie Kent singled to center driving in Meitzler.  Brandi Rabion

then tripled over the short fielder's head bring in Jessica Rancifer (courtesy runner for the catcher Gill) and Kent for a 4-0 lead.

Hillary Dickens blistered a grounder to the shortstop that was mishandled allowing Rabion to score.

All photos by Carey Meitzler

Brandi Rabion motors around first on her way to third base as Jessica Rancifer rounds third base.

Petal got two runs in the bottom of the third and one more in the sixth, but the Lady Tide's Sarah Dodd  was able to work out

of bases loaded jams twice to earn the win.

Rabion and Tayler Seals each had three hits in the game. 

Sarah Dodd throws to Hillary Dickens at first base after fielding a Petal ground ball.

Lady Tide Head Coach Kristi Mitchell was pleased with the play of the Lady Tide after an 8 day gap between games.

"It's been a while since we beat 'em and that was good for us, but we left too many runners on base. I am happy

with our defense right now."

The Lady Tide (10-2) travels to Forrest County AHS on Thursday in their District opener.

Tiffany Devore slides back to second base after a wide turn.

Hillary Dickens is tagged out at home plate attempting to score on a fly ball to right field.

Sarah Dodd pitches out of a bases loaded jam.

Mallorie Mixon (11) takes a throw from Tiffany Devore to force a Petal runner.