Brashear and Scotland County Softball Squads Play 11 Inning Game

The Lady Tigers of Scotland County finally prevailed 9-8 in the 3-hour marathon.

On Tuesday, the Brashear Lady Tigers climbed on the bus headed for Scotland County for their first softball game of the Fall 2006 season. The host Lady Tigers of Scotland County had already started their season the evening before with an 8-0 loss to Highland. Both teams were hoping to get those early season jitters worked out of their systems.

Scotland County's Kara Small took the mound and held Brashear scoreless in the top of the first and her teammates helped her out by pushing across a pair of runs to take a 2-0 lead after one inning. The momentum swung in the top of the 2nd as Brashear scored 4 times to take a 4-2 lead. Small would be replaced in the 4th by Kaela Cook. Brashear's starter, Christina Scudder settled in and held Scotland County to only one more run through the end of the 4th. Scotland County rallied in the bottom of the 5th taking a 6-5 lead. It looked like it might be all over for Brashear until they started their own rally in the top of the 7th. Hailee Kelsey drew a leadoff walk and Jessi Hill followed with a single. Christina Scudder then ripped a 1-out double bringing in two runs to give Brashear a 7-6 lead. This time is was Scotland County's turn to score a clutch run to tie the game 7-7 at the end of 7 innings. It became a defensive battle again until the top of the 11th when Kimberly Elsea hit a 2 out single and Christina Scudder drove her in with a double. Trailing 8-7 in the bottom of the 11th, Scotland County rallied one more time to score 2 on a walk and a series of errors.

Starter Christina Scudder took the loss going the distance. She gave up 6 hits, 5 of which were in the first 3 innings. She struck out 8 and walked 7. Scotland County starter Kara Small didn't figure in the decision with relief pitcher Kaela Cook getting the win. Together, they combined to give up 9 hits and 6 walks while striking out 13.

For Brashear, Jessi Hill, Kimberly Elsea, Shanea Rusk, Andrea Reeves, Ashley Clarkson, and Hailee Kelsey each had singles. Christina Scudder had a single and two doubles. Jessi Hill had 1 RBI and Christina Scudder had 3 RBI's.

For Scotland County, Jessica Bair and Andrea Shelly each had singles, Valerie Oldham had a pair of singles, and Lacey Jack had a single and a double

In JV action, Scotland County claimed a 6-2 win in the 3-inning contest.

Brashear hosts Conference rival Linn County Friday at 5 p.m. and will travel to Atlanta Saturday for the Atlanta Tournament.