April 11 - vs. Soul Sisters

After a long week between games, since our 2nd scheduled game was rained out, Team Purple Lightning took the field hosting the Soul Sisters. This was a team that was rumored to have had a dismal game in their first outing this season, but you wouldn't have guessed it by the way they gave us a run for our money.

1st Inning
Kelsey was our starting pitcher today. Trying to find her groove, she brought it to full count on the 1st batter. Losing control on the next pitch, Kelsey hit the batter and the batter took a walk. The 2nd batter walked too and with an earlier successful steal, there were runners on 1st and 3rd. On the next batter, the runner at 1st ran for 2nd. Hylah tried to throw her down, but the runner was safe and with this action the runner at 3rd made a break for home. Crossing the plate, the Soul Sisters scored the 1st run of the day. The 4th and the 5th batter walked and the bases were loaded. Kelsey settled in to strike out the next batter. The next batter hit a fly ball to Alli at Short Stop and she made the catch, getting the 2nd out of the inning. Having found her rhythm in the 1st, Kelsey was able to string 3 more together for another strike out, holding the Soul Sisters to 1 in the 1st.

Leading off for the Purple Lightning, Yazmine took a walk. On her at bat, Janessa connected and sent a fast grounder down the 3rd base side. The Sisters' chose to pick off our lead runner and got the out on Yazmine at 2nd. Tess came up to bat and Janessa successfully stole 2nd. Tess hit a single and Janessa was able to come home. Kelsey was up next and she walked, putting runners on 1st and 2nd. Coming to the plate next, Gabby hit the ball, but the Sisters' defense was able to get her out at 1st, but our runners advanced to scoring position. On her next turn, Alli walked, loading the bases. Hylah came up to bat, but the pitcher was able to strike her out holding us to 1 run.

Soul Sisters 1 - Purple Lightning 1

2nd Inning
Kelsey pitching again for the 2nd inning, started off almost exactly like the 1st. Full count on the 1st batter turned into a walk. The 2nd batter also walked putting runners on 1st and 2nd. The 3rd batter hit one out to Left Center, but the ball was dropped and 1 run crossed home. The 4th batter came up to the plate, but after the 2nd base stole 3rd, the Sould Sisters had runners on 1st and 3rd. Kelsey struck her out for the 1st of the inning. The next batter hit the ball through the infield. The runner on 3rd was able to cross the plate, but Janessa got the tag on the incoming runner at 3rd. Another grounder brought another Soul Sister home. But on the next hit, Janessa was able to collect the ball and deliver it to Tess at 1st for the 3rd out of the inning, putting an end to the Soul Sisters' increasing lead.

Down 2 in the bottom of the 2nd, Sara came to the plate and hit one out to the outfiled getting on base. Caitlin was up next, but the pitcher strung 3 together to send her back to the dugout. Alexis came up to bat. On a dropped ball, Sara took off for 2nd, the catcher quickly recovered and was able to make the throw to 2nd, getting Sara out. Alexis tried to keep the Lightning alive in the inning, but with the momentum on her side, the Sisters' pitcher put 3 together to close it out, holding the Lightning to 0 in the inning.

Soul Sisters 4 - Purple Lightning 1

3rd Inning
After a great effort in the first 2 innings Kelsey was replaced by Tess at the rubber. She made quick work of the 1st batter as she struck her out for the 1st of the inning. The 2nd batter proved to be a little tougher as she hit a grounder through our infield. Trying to get her out at 1st, the Lightning right fielder overthrew 1st base and the runner was able to get to 2nd. After stealing 3rd, the 3rd batter hit a short grounder to Tess, the runner on 3rd base took off for home, but Tess went for the sure out by throwing to Kelsey at 1st and the runner scored. The next batter was a bookend strike out for Tess as she held the Soul Sisters to 1 in the inning.

Feeling the pressure to mount a comeback, the Purple Lightning took their turn at bat. Maia was 1st, but the Sisters' pitcher was still in her groove and was able to strike Maia out. She was determined to make us work for it. Janessa came up next, but she was struck out too. This pitcher was proving to be a challenge. Tess came up to bat. Yazmine went to steal 2nd, but with the overthrow was able to get to scoring position. Tess connected and sent it to Left Center, but the Sisters' outfielder was able to make the catch and get the 3rd out of the inning, keeping us scoreless for the 2nd inning in a row.

Soul Sisters 5 - Purple Lightning 1

4th Inning
Tess was back at Pitcher for the 4th. 1st batter walked then stole her way to 3rd. The 2nd batter also walked, putting runners on 1st and 3rd. The next batter hit a grounder down the 3rd base line, but Janessa was able to pick it up and make the throw to Kelsey at 1st, but the runner at 3rd was able to make it home extending the Sisters' lead. Tess found her pitch again with the next batter and was able to strike her out for the 2nd of the inning. Then one of the runners left her base early drawing the 3rd out of the inning.

Kelsey was walked to lead us off in the 4th. On her next trip to the plate, Gabby was able to connect driving it through the infield, but the Sister at 2nd base was able to get Kelsey out, but doing so, let Gabby take 1st. Alli was also able to connect with the ball, but it was a fly ball that the pitcher was able to reel in for the 2nd out of the inning. Then, trying to get the double play on Gabby at 1st, the pitcher overthrew 1st base and Gabby took off and made it all the way to 3rd base. Hylah was up next, she hit a single that brought Gabby home. Sara came up to bat and took a walk. On her turn, Caitlin was also able to connect with the ball to move the runners, but keepin their composure, the Soul Sisters were able to get the ball to take out Hylah, our lead runner, at 3rd to close out the inning. Even though, we were held to 1 run in the inning, the Lightning girls were able to break their 2 inning drought. It was now up to our defense to keep us in the game.

Soul Sisters 6 - Purple Lightning 2

5th Inning
Tess came back in to pitch in the 5th. We needed to hold the other team if we were going to mount a comeback. With incredible determination, Tess gave us exactly what we needed. 1st batter - strike out. 2nd batter - strike out. 3rd batter - strike out. Making quick work of the Soul Sisters' offense, Tess shut them down before they knew what hit them. Great job Tess!

Coming into the 5th down by 4, the Lightning girls gave it everything they had to claw their way to the lead. Alexis got hit by a pitch and walked. Maia walked next, putting runners on 1st and 2nd. Yazmine struck out for the 1st of the inning. On Janessa's turn, the runners stole and moved into scoring position. Janessa hit a fast ground ball through the infield, bringing Alexis home. Tess came up to bat, and Janessa stole 2nd. Runners on 2nd and 3rd. Tess hit one to the outfield bringing 2 in, but the Soul Sisters' defense was able to hold Tess at 2nd. Kelsey hit a ball, but was thrown out at 1st for the 2nd out. Things were starting to look grim for the Lightning as the Soul Sisters were threatening to shut the comeback down. Gabby walked. Runners on 1st and 3rd. Alli came up to bat and hit a high fly ball to the outfield that seemed to hang in the air forever. The outfielder got herself into position and stretched out her hand for the catch. The ball hit her glove, but fell out and Tess was able to come home. On her next trip to the plate, Hylah got another base hit, bringing Gabby home. Sarah came up to bat. Alli, went to steal 3rd base. The Soul Sisters missed the catch at 3rd and Alli took off for home and scored. Sarah walked. Caitlin walked as well, then Alexis was able to hit the ball, but was thrown out at 1st. In the end, 7 runs scored for the Lighting and the tables were turned.

Soul Sisters 6 - Purple Lightning 9

6th Inning
Now behind, the Soul Sisters had their work cut out for them as it was now their turn to try to regain the lead. Kelsey came back in at pitcher. After the 1st pitch, the 1st batter left the field with a mysterious injury. Rather than take the automatic out, she came back up hoping for Kelsey to not get the strike out. Staying calm, Kelsey got the easy out. The 2nd batter sent one to the outfield. As she was rounding 1st base, Maia was able to get the ball in to Yazmine who then turned around and forced the runner back to 1st. 3rd batter at the plate. The runner goes for 2nd, but with the overthrow was able to get to 3rd. The 3rd batter hit one out to Right Field, but Caitlin was able to make a great play by throwing it to Gabby at 1st for the 2nd out. The runner on 3rd came home for the score, closing the distance. The 4th batter connected with the ball. Unfortunately for the Soul Sisters, Kelsey, with a lot of time, was able to field the ball and make the throw to Gabby at 1st to close the game.

Final Score
Soul Sisters 7 - Purple Lightning 9

Game Ball
It wasn't pretty, but it was a great come-from-behind victory for the Purple Lightning girls. The game ball was awarded to Caitlin, who made a great play in the last inning to hold off the Soul Sisters' attempt at a comeback. The honorable mention went to Tess for her great pitching performance. Great job girls!