SG softball uses 2 big innings to beat Lexington

MEDINA – Seeing a pitcher once through the lineup can sometimes lead to better offense.

After the first six batters were retired in order, South Gibson had big offensive innings in the third and fifth innings to come away with a 12-5 victory over Lexington on Thursday.

“I think getting used to the pitcher was part of it,” South Gibson coach Scott Kee said. “It took a couple of innings to get caught up to the pitcher.”

Lexington (28-11-3) and South Gibson (20-14) were the two teams to represent West Tennessee at the Class AA state tournament last season, and as both prepare for their respective district tournaments next week, this was a good chance to see good competition.

Before the Lady Hornets could have their big offensive innings, they had to deal with some adversity on defense.

Lexington had two runners on in the first inning with no outs and bases loaded in the third inning with no outs, but South Gibson kept those runners right there.

South Gibson pitcher Kaitlyn Martin struck out three straight batters in each of the innings to get out of the jam. The Lady Tigers left 10 runners on base with nine of them left on base in scoring position.

“That was a big momentum boost,” Kee said. “That showed us that we can play with them on defense, and it made us ready to hit the ball.”

Martin allowed five runs on seven hits, while striking out 13.

The University of Tennessee signee also made a difference in the batter’s box when her grand slam in the fourth inning broke a 0-0 tie.

“I wasn’t worried,” Martin said. “I knew that we just had to string some hits together.

“I was waiting on the pitch. They did a good job last time getting me out with that pitch, so I was ready for it.”

Lexington scored in the top of the fifth inning on a passed ball, but the Lady Hornets went right back to hitting in the bottom of the inning with six runs on five hits.

Brittini Pearson had a two-RBI double, while Ashten Petty and Allison Sanders each had RBI singles. The other two runs were scored on a passed ball and an RBI groundout by Makenzie Puckett.

The Lady Tigers tried to rally in the sixth inning on two runs scored on passed balls and a two-RBI single by Kaitlyn Kelley to cut the Lady Hornets lead to 10-5, but a two-RBI single by Taylor Benton put South Gibson back in control in the bottom of the inning.

“It was just us following each other with hits,” Kee said. “This win is huge for mindset with Lexington being No. 1 in the Dirty Dozen. This shows that we can play with the best. We have beaten almost every team in the Dirty Dozen.”

DIRTY DOZEN: Lexington softball back in No. 1 spot

Lexington has one more district game on Tuesday against McNairy Central, while South Gibson is the No. 2 seed in the District 13-AA tournament.

“We are taking stepping stones,” Martin said. “Everyone is talking how we need to get back to state. But I am looking to first get to district, then region, then sub-state and then we can worry about state.”

Michael Odom, 425-9754