Central rallies to force extra innings, downs Jackson 4-3

KIRKWOOD, Mo. — The weekend had been a frustrating one for Taylre Scott and the rest of the Central softball team.

The Tigers played two excellent games on the first night of the Haberstroh Cor Jesu Tournament, losing 2-1 contests to Affton and Notre Dame-St. Louis on Friday.

Central came back Saturday morning and had an awful game, committing eight errors in an 8-4 loss to the Cor Jesu junior varsity team.

It looked as if it was going to be a lost tournament as the Tigers were down to their final at-bat in the seventh-place game against rival Jackson later Saturday morning. But Scott sent the game into extra innings with a two-out double. The Tigers then scored an unearned run in the eighth inning to escape with a 4-3 win at Kirkwood Athletic Association.

"I was frustrated last night," said Scott, who finished with three hits against the Indians. "I had been grounding out or popping up at bat and had a few passed balls behind the plate. We really wanted to come out and beat Jackson in this game. It makes up a little for the other games in the tournament."

Tigers pitcher Amanda Nichols opened the seventh inning with a single. She moved to second on a sacrifice by Tori Ourth, but Jackson pitcher Ashley Cook struck out Nikki Graham for the second out. Scott followed with a double to right field to tie the game.

"I really wasn't nervous at all," Scott said. "I just wanted to concentrate and make sure I could get Amanda in. I was afraid for a minute that the right fielder was going to catch the ball. It felt good when it got over her head."

It was a huge two-out hit for a Tigers team that had trouble hitting with runners on base the entire tournament.

Central left two runners on in both the fourth and fifth innings and the bases loaded in the sixth against Jackson.

Victoria Schabbing, who had made a game-saving catch at shortstop with a catch in short left field to end the bottom of the seventh, had her third straight hit with one out in the eighth. She stole second then distracted Jackson shortstop Megan Dockins on a grounder hit by Brittany Nichols. Dockins fielded the ball cleanly, but threw wildly to first base after watching Schabbing run in front of her.

The Indians, who had opened the season with two wins, saw their record go from two games over .500 to two games under .500 in less than 24 hours. Jackson lost pool play games to Jefferson City (4-1), Lindbergh (11-1) and Cor Jesu (7-4).

"We only have a couple of girls who have varsity experience," Jackson coach Amanda Forester said. "We still are moving girls to different positions. Defense was a struggle this weekend."

Central improved to 2-4.

"We stepped up against some very good competition and played three good games in this tournament," Tigers coach Amy Blattel said. "We did not show up in the first game this morning, but I was impressed with the way we came back and played this last game."

The two teams will play again Wednesday at Jackson.

Jefferson City scored a run in the seventh inning to defeat Affton 2-1 in the championship game of the tournament.

Central 010 010 11 — 4 12 1

Jackson 011 010 00 — 3 6 3

WP — Amanda Nichols. LP — Ashley Cook. 2B — Victoria Schabbing (C), Taylre Scott (C), Ashley Cook (J), Tory Smith (JA). Multiple hits — Central: Schabbing 3-5, Brittany Perkins 2-5, Scott 3-4.