There were no 9th inning heroics needed Friday morning against Oldham County in the quarterfinal round of the girls state softball tournament. Rather, the Christian County Lady Colonels had to rally from a four run deficit to pull out a 9-6 win and advance to the semifinal round of the winners bracket.
For the second consecutive game, the opponent got on the board first, as the Lady Colonels from Oldham County tallied three runs in the top of the first inning to take a 3-0 lead. Oldham County used a walk, a hit batter, and thee consecutive singles to break to the lead.
Christian County got one of the runs back in the bottom of the 1st, as Emmy Blane drove a home run to deep center field to cut the lead to 3-1.
One of the problems for Christian County in the game was closing out an inning after there were two outs. That was the case in the top of the 2nd as Oldham County put up two more to extend the lead to 5-1.
Christian County got back in the game in the bottom of the 3rd inning. After a pair of walks, Tyler Shemwell blasted a three run shot to cut the margin to 5-4.
Oldham County used a couple of singles to get that run back in the top of the 4th, and push the lead back out to 6-4.
Christian County cut the lead right back to one run in the bottom of the inning. Taylor Shemwell led off the inning with a double and then scored on an RBI single from Macy Lancaster to make it 6-5.
Christian County then seized control of the game with four runs in the bottom of the 5th inning. The Lady Colonels took advantage of a couple of Oldham County mistakes and timely hits from Macy Lancaster, Taylor Shemwell, and Halle Hendricks to take a 9-6 lead.
From the point, Hannah Sumner, who relieved starter Lexie O’Daniel early in the first inning, shut the door on Oldham County, as Christian County kept themselves in the winners bracket.
For Christian County, Taylor Shemwell went 3 for 3 in the game. Tyler Shemwell was 1-4 with a home run and 3 RBIs. Macy Lancaster was 2-3 with 2 RBIs. Emmy Blane was 1-4 with an RBI and 2 runs scored.
In the circle, Hannah Sumner went 6 2/3 innings, giving up 3 runs, 2 earned, on eight hits, stiking out one and walking one.
Christian County takes on #1 Scott County in the winner’s bracket semifinals Friday afternoon at 3:00.