Marshall County Tribune: High School Sports: Tigerettes survive in nine, claim 12-AA title (05/15/10)

Before the District 12-AA title contest, both coaches met with the TSSAA umpiring crew. In the end, the home plate umpire had to make a tough call, sending Brandie Jett to first and forcing home the winning run on a hit by pitch call in the bottom of the 9th inning. Tribune photos by Anthony S. Puca

Win and survive, anyway you can.

"I hate for the game to end like that. Of course I'll take it and I think it was the right call," said Marshall County head coach Holly Cook after Brandie Jett was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning, bringing home Morgan Moyers unimpeded from third base with the winning run in the District 12-AA Championship game in Lewisburg.

Jett, the leadoff slap hitter for Marshall County took a high inside pitch on the elbow and was awarded first base, much to the dismay of the Lewis County coaching staff, who argued that Jett had swung at the ball.

The TSSAA umpire crew agreed that Jett did not swing and the call stood, ending the game and giving the two Tigerette seniors (Jett and Mieke Wallace) a tournament title that has eluded them.

Cook added, "Really deep down I really believe Brandie was going to get a hit regardless. I think she was focused up there. I hate it for Lewis County. It was a tough way to end the game, but like I have said many times, I will take a win however I can get it."

Marshall County's Brandie Jett was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th, scoring Morgan Moyers with the winning run in the District 12-AA title game Friday night in Lewisburg. Tribune photos by Anthony S. Puca

Jett went 2-5 in the ballgame and said after the game, "I was just thinking, hit it up the middle because it was wide open, but getting hit by a pitch is alright. It's an RBI. It's all good."

Wallace was as about as solid as you can get in the circle, going all nine innings and has now pitched 30 consecutive innings of scoreless ball in the post-season.

Wallace gave up five hits, walked none, and struck out 11 Lady Panthers in the contest.

Mieke Wallace continued her spectacular post-season run, shutting out Lewis County over nine innings Friday night as the Tigerettes survived again and got the prize of hosting the Region 6-AA opener Monday night in Lewisburg.

Wallace did not allow a Lewis County base runner past second base and the only time two Lady Panthers were on base at the same time was in the third inning with two outs before she ended the threat with a strikeout.

Brianna Roberts had another good showing, going 2-3 with a walk and a stolen base.

Danielle Toseland went 1-3 at the plate and made two huge contributions to the wining effort, beginning with a fantastic running catch in centerfield in the sixth and a big sacrifice bunt that moved Moyers to second base in the ninth inning.

Mary Medley almost won the game in the ninth, driving a ball into the hole that was knocked down by Lewis County shortstop Jessica Hinton, preventing a run from scoring.

After knocking in the game winner versus Page on Thursday night Moyers set the table this time, leading off the fateful ninth inning with a single up the middle.

DeLorean Taylor speeds down the first base line after dropping a perfect bunt in the 3rd inning.

Marshall County's run scoring effort was once again hurt by base running mistakes and some bad luck that turned into three line drive double plays.

The Tigerettes (32-8) will face either Camden Central (23-5-2) or Creekwood (34-8) Monday night at Reese Hambrick Field in the opening round of the District 6-AA Tournament.

The District 11-AA Tournament was rained out Friday night and will be played Saturday at Camden.