With her team struggling offensively and defensively, Hebron Christian junior pitcher Chloe Tapley took matters into her hands.
Tapley struck out seven and allowed five hits to help Hebron Christian hold off Heritage Academy 4-2 in a Mississippi Association of Independent Schools fast-pitch softball game Tuesday at Harper-Hutchins Field.
The Eagles built a 4-0 lead thanks to a two-run home run from Tori Nichols and a couple of defensive lapses. Tapley tired late as Heritage Academy struck for two runs in the fifth inning and had a pair of runners on in the sixth and final inning. With runners on the corner, a ground ball out closed the complete-game pitching performance win.
With the victory, Hebron Christian improved to 5-2, while Heritage Academy fell to 1-6. The victory also allowed the Eagles to avenge a loss to the Patriots earlier this season in Pheba.
“This was an average game for us,” Hebron Christian coach Cass Tapley said. “We haven”t taken a step back, but we need to get better. I really don”t think anybody is going to blow us out. When the year began, I thought we would play a bunch of two- and three-run games. So far, this season that is exactly how it has played out.”
Hebron Christian scored twice runs in the third. Tapley aided her cause with a one-out double. Nichols followed with a line drive, no-doubt blast over the left center wall. The home run was the first baseman”s third of the season.
The Eagles expanded the lead with two more critical scores in the top of the fifth. An infield hit by Rebecca Faulkner was the only hit, while a one-out hit batsman opened the door. Hebron Christian scored on a wild pitch and misplay in the outfield.
In the circle, Tapley allowed one hit through the first four innings. However, control proved to be an issue. The Patriots worked two walks and had another batter hit during in the first four innings.
“My pitches have gotten faster; however, I have been too wild,” Tapley said. “Fortunately, we are early in the season, so I can keep working to improve. As team, we are getting better. We”ve got a lot of things to work on. That is the good thing about this team. They work hard, and I feel like we will keep getting better.”
Heritage Academy broke up the shutout with a pair of scores in the fifth. Hannah Hawkins had a one-out infield single. After a walk to Swayze Harris and flyout, Macy Walters slapped a two-run double to the gap in left center. A groundout ended the threat.
The Patriots had a final threat in the sixth. Allie Lowe slapped a leadoff double to the outfield wall in center. After a pair of outs, Brooklyn Waldrep extended the game with a two-out infield hit. But Tapley retired Hawkins for the first time in three at-bats to close the door.
“We pitched it well enough to get the job done when we had to,” coach Tapley said. “The mechanics were little off. We had them chasing some high pitches. You have to be able to throw it down the middle when you need to. However, on this day, pitching was good enough to get the job done.
“Sometimes, defensively, we just go to sleep. We have to tighten up the little things. This is a hard-working group, and I have no doubt we will get better. We have to get the youth out of this team and help them get a little nasty. I feel that attitude is there and we will get there.”
Nichols and Ferguson each had multiple hits. Tapley hit into a line drive double play to end the top half of the sixth. That defensive effort prevented her from having a multi-hit night.
Hawkins was the lone multiple hitter for Heritage Academy.
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