CUSHING MIDDLE SCHOOL SOFTBALL
Anxious to get back on the ball diamond, after their second place finish in the Bristow tourney, Coach Copeland and his Cushing Middle School lady tigers welcomed their counterparts, the Drumright lady tornados in a double header September 1, 2009. Due to heavy rains, the game was moved from Cushing’s high school field to the sports complex for better playing conditions. The lady tigers were quick to take their frustrations out on an outgunned tornado team winning the opener 13-3, in a game that wasn’t that close. With the outfield trio of Taylor Smith, Kelsi Gaskins, and Hayley Kimbro snagging every ball hit to the outfield and stingy infield play again anchored by Mikaela Weaver and Tristyn Short, few tornados reached first base. With the offense coming in an onslaught in a huge 2nd inning, with timely hitting from Malori Baker, Kira Cox, the lady tigers were able to cruise to the win.
In the nite cap, the game became more competitive, as the lady tornados regrouped and made a run at the lady tigers, but behind the solid pitching of Hayley Kimbro and run support from Nia Skye, Kayley Walters with Kimbro helping her own cause scoring twice, the Lady tigers won the bottom half of the double header 10 – 7.
After taking a holiday break, the lady tigers were back in action 8 September, 2009, traveling to Drumright to even up the scheduled home and home engagement. Opening the first game of two, Cushing pitcher Jessica Niccum struggled early, walking the first 3 batters she faced, but the lady tiger defense came to her rescue with catcher Morgan McGrew picking the runner off third and Tristyn Short snagging 2 hard hit grounders hit her way and making easy throws to first, ending any hopes posed by the lady tornados in pulling off the upset. With Niccum settling in and throwing K’s at 10 batters and Baker and Weaver keeping Drumright off the base paths, Cushing breezed to a 9 – 1 win.
In the follow up game, Cushing run ruled their counterparts in the first and second innings, only to see their bats go silent, falling to Drumright 8 -7 in a time shortened game. Taking the loss in the circle for Cushing was Hayley Kimbro.
Next up for Coaches Copeland and Coates will be the Perry Invitational with pool play beginning Friday September 11, 2009. Due to weather conditions this tournament has been changed to Cushing’s High School Softball field with games beginning early and through out the day.
The lady tigers will be tested early as they open with a murderous 3 game back to back to back start.
The lady tigers will be back in Cushing for home games 14 and 15 September.
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