Dobyns-Bennett’s Hailey Porter slides safely into third base as Science Hill’s Maddie Diamond waits for the ball. Porter would go on to score the tying run in the seventh inning.
Dobyns-Bennett’s Hailey Porter slides safely into third base as Science Hill’s Maddie Diamond waits for the ball. Porter would go on to score the tying run in the seventh inning.
KINGSPORT — Dobyns-Bennett and Science Hill had another classic battle fitting of their intense rivalry on the softball field Thursday night.
The Lady Indians rallied from a three-run deficit to take a 6-5 win in eight innings over the Lady ’Toppers at Indian-Highland Park. The dramatic extra-inning victory sets up another game Friday at the same location with the second seed in the upcoming District 1-4A tournament on the line.
Claudia Maness delivered a walk-off single to right field after Sophie Dean doubled to put her team in position for the winning run. Dean nearly ended it herself moments earlier by launching the ball to the left-field fence.
“I saw an opportunity and I took it,” said Dean, who went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles. “I wanted to get a hit for my team really, really bad. I was glad to get it in scoring position. I hit it as hard as I could hoping for the best. No matter how far down we seem to be, we seem to find a way to come back.”
Dobyns-Bennett coach Andy Hubbard appreciated the fight of his team after being down 5-2 in the sixth inning. The Lady Indians scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth and one in the seventh to tie thanks to Hailey Porter’s triple before the winning run in the eighth.
Julianne Tipton got the hard-earned victory in the circle, going the distance and allowing five hits and two earned runs.
“She’s a competitor. She goes at it 100 percent,” Hubbard said. “Then, I’m so happy that Sophie is out here. She means so much to this team. She’s one of the most genuine, best kids that we’ve ever had. This league is just so tough. Anybody can beat anybody on a nightly basis.”
It looked like Science Hill was in the best position to win for a long time.
Maddie Diamond belted a two-run homer to left field to give the Lady ’Toppers the early 2-0 lead. After Dobyns-Bennett tied in the bottom of the inning, Science Hill took the lead back on Beth Pridemore’s bunt to score Malia Maroukas.
An error on a dropped fly ball led to two more runs for Science Hill in the top of the fifth. Catcher Lora Wilgus had multiple hits for the Lady ’Toppers, 2-for-4 at the plate. Her quick reflexes on defense also led a run-saving tag at home plate.
Isabel Meeks gave up four earned runs and no walks over eight innings in the loss.
“It never fails,” Science Hill coach Megan Harmon said about the game going extra innings. “It was nice to have a little bit of a lead, but they’re scrappy and are going to compete. I was proud of my girls as well and the way they competed from start to finish. It stinks they had the last chance, but that happens when they’re the home team.”
Dobyns-Bennett got two hits each from Catie Zani, Reagan Hollowell, Porter, Dean and Tipton. Friday’s rematch is set for 4:30 p.m.
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