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Five runs can feel insurmountable in a four-inning summer-league softball game.
Claremore nearly proved otherwise Tuesday afternoon.
After falling behind 5-0 through an inning and a half, the Lady Zebras chipped away at the deficit and brought the tying run to the plate before ultimately dropping a 5-3 decision to Bartlesville.
Despite the loss, Claremore actually outhit the Lady Bruins 6-3 and showed resilience after a difficult start that featured a combination of timely hits, walks and defensive miscues by the visitors.
Claire Pilkington led the Lady Zebras offensively with 2 hits, while Alexis Morton and Kinley Stegall each drove in a run. Shayne Schornick also reached base and helped manufacture a run during Claremore's second-inning rally.
Morton was effective in relief, allowing no runs and just 1 hit over the final two innings while striking out 2. Shaylee Huey started the game and took the loss after allowing 5 runs, 3 earned, on 3 hits while striking out 2 over the first two innings.
Bartlesville's pitcher worked around 6 Lady Zebra hits, allowing 3 runs — only 1 earned — while striking out 2 in 4 innings.
The Lady Bruins wasted little time getting on the board.
After a leadoff walk and stolen base, they lined an RBI double to center field for a 1-0 lead. Another walk and a bunt that resulted in a Claremore error brought home a second run before Bartlesville delivered an RBI triple to center field to make it 3-0.
The visitors added another run later in the inning when a ground ball was misplayed at third base, allowing a runner to score for a 4-0 advantage.
The Lady Bruins extended the lead to 5-0 in the second when a leadoff double put immediate pressure on the Lady Zebra defense.
After the runner advanced to third on a passed ball, a fly ball was dropped in center field, allowing the fifth run to cross the plate.
Claremore finally responded in the bottom half of the inning.
Tilly Andrews reached on an error before Caroline Messner reached on a fielder's choice and stole second. Stegall then sparked the comeback with an RBI double to center field, scoring Messner and cutting the deficit to 5-1.
Moments later, Schornick laid down a bunt and reached on a catcher error. Stegall scored on the play, trimming the margin to 5-2.
Morton entered the circle in the third and immediately settled things down.
After a pair of flyouts, Bartlesville reached on an error and stole second, but Morton ended the inning by freezing the next batter with a called third strike.
That defensive stand paved the way for another Claremore rally.
Pilkington opened the bottom of the third with a single and stole second. Morton followed with a double to center field, plating Pilkington and bringing the Lady Zebras within 5-3.
Claremore looked poised to do more damage when Andrews followed with a single, but the Lady Bruins escaped the inning thanks to a double play.
Morton continued her strong relief outing in the fourth, working around 2 walks while recording a strikeout and keeping Bartlesville scoreless.
The Lady Zebras threatened one final time in the bottom of the fourth when Schornick singled with one out, but the Lady Bruins recorded a strikeout and a groundout to seal the victory.
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Claremore nearly proved otherwise Tuesday afternoon.
After falling behind 5-0 through an inning and a half, the Lady Zebras chipped away at the deficit and brought the tying run to the plate before ultimately dropping a 5-3 decision to Bartlesville.
Despite the loss, Claremore actually outhit the Lady Bruins 6-3 and showed resilience after a difficult start that featured a combination of timely hits, walks and defensive miscues by the visitors.
Claire Pilkington led the Lady Zebras offensively with 2 hits, while Alexis Morton and Kinley Stegall each drove in a run. Shayne Schornick also reached base and helped manufacture a run during Claremore's second-inning rally.
Morton was effective in relief, allowing no runs and just 1 hit over the final two innings while striking out 2. Shaylee Huey started the game and took the loss after allowing 5 runs, 3 earned, on 3 hits while striking out 2 over the first two innings.
Bartlesville's pitcher worked around 6 Lady Zebra hits, allowing 3 runs — only 1 earned — while striking out 2 in 4 innings.
The Lady Bruins wasted little time getting on the board.
After a leadoff walk and stolen base, they lined an RBI double to center field for a 1-0 lead. Another walk and a bunt that resulted in a Claremore error brought home a second run before Bartlesville delivered an RBI triple to center field to make it 3-0.
The visitors added another run later in the inning when a ground ball was misplayed at third base, allowing a runner to score for a 4-0 advantage.
The Lady Bruins extended the lead to 5-0 in the second when a leadoff double put immediate pressure on the Lady Zebra defense.
After the runner advanced to third on a passed ball, a fly ball was dropped in center field, allowing the fifth run to cross the plate.
Claremore finally responded in the bottom half of the inning.
Tilly Andrews reached on an error before Caroline Messner reached on a fielder's choice and stole second. Stegall then sparked the comeback with an RBI double to center field, scoring Messner and cutting the deficit to 5-1.
Moments later, Schornick laid down a bunt and reached on a catcher error. Stegall scored on the play, trimming the margin to 5-2.
Morton entered the circle in the third and immediately settled things down.
After a pair of flyouts, Bartlesville reached on an error and stole second, but Morton ended the inning by freezing the next batter with a called third strike.
That defensive stand paved the way for another Claremore rally.
Pilkington opened the bottom of the third with a single and stole second. Morton followed with a double to center field, plating Pilkington and bringing the Lady Zebras within 5-3.
Claremore looked poised to do more damage when Andrews followed with a single, but the Lady Bruins escaped the inning thanks to a double play.
Morton continued her strong relief outing in the fourth, working around 2 walks while recording a strikeout and keeping Bartlesville scoreless.
The Lady Zebras threatened one final time in the bottom of the fourth when Schornick singled with one out, but the Lady Bruins recorded a strikeout and a groundout to seal the victory.
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