South in a rout

By Denis House
Sports Editor

May 07, 2008 10:57 am

— WILLIAMSBURG—A little time off can do wonders.
South Laurel found that out Monday night with a 15-0 rout of host Whitley County. The Lady Cardinals hadn’t played since April 30, and those off days gave Coach Kaye Smith’s team a chance to get a little rest and heal some injuries.
“Sometimes at this time of year you need a little rest,” Smith said. “Everyone is a little tired and in need of a break.”
For South Laurel, it looks like that break came at the best time. The Lady Cards (22-5, 5-1) wasted no time in jumping on the Lady Colonels (12-13, 0-5), scoring four runs in the top of the first on just one hit. Whitley County committed three costly errors as they found themselves trailing 4-0.
Emily Gaines reached on an error, bringing Morgan Johnson to the plate. The South firstbaseman laid down a bunt that was fielded by pitcher Danielle Lindsay, but her throw to second in an attempt to get Gaines sailed into centerfield, and both runners came around for a 2-0 lead.
Lauren Wombles then singled to left, where the ball was misplayed, allowing Wombles to advance to second. After Porsha Justice grounded out, Johnna Sizemore laid down a bunt that was fielded by Lindsay, who looked Wombles back at third before throwing late to first, as Sizemore was safe, putting runners on the corner for Kelsey Jervis.
Wombles scored on a wild pitch, then Sizemore came home when Jervis grounded out to second for an early 4-0 lead.
Justice got into a little trouble on the mound in the bottom of the inning, as she walked one batter, another reached on an error, and a third was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs. But Justice got Danielle Jarboe to hit a grounder between first and second that hit the baserunner for an out.
“Porsha did a great job,” Smith said.
The Lady Cards added two more runs in the second when, with the bases loaded and two outs, Justice singled to score Jamie Wyatt and Johnson for a 6-0 lead.
That lead grew to 9-0 in the third when Jervis, Erica Burchett and Wyatt all scored in the inning. Wyatt also had an RBI double.
South Laurel tacked six more runs on their score in the fourth to hold a commanding 15-0 lead. Justice reached on an error, and Cassie Blair came in to run for her. Jervis singled with one out to score Blair for a 10-0 lead. Ashley Stock then walked, and Burchett came in to run for the South catcher. Candace Kirby singled to left, where the ball was misplayed, allowing Jervis and Burchett to come around to make it 12-0.
Wyatt and Gaines both singled, and Kirby came home for a 13-0 lead. Wombles walked to load the bases with two outs, and Justice singled to score Wyatt and Gaines to up the lead to 15-0.
Destinee Fisher came in to relieve Justice in the bottom of the inning, and she struck out two of the three batters she faced as South Laurel ended the game in four innings, 15-0.
The Lady Cards traveled to face a tough Garrard Co. team last night, and are scheduled to host Estill Co. Thursday night.

South Laurel 15, Whitley Co. 0
South Laurel 423 6—15 11 1
Whitley Co. 000 0— 0 1 6

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.