The Fairfield Lady Lions opened the season in uncharacteristic fashion Monday with a 9-2 non-conference loss to the Adena Lady Warriors, but rebounded Tuesday with a 13-3 victory over the Lynchburg-Clay Lady Lions to open Southern Hills Athletic Conference action.
It was a cold sunny day Monday in Leesburg when Fairfield dropped the season opener to Adena. The young Lady Lions failed to capitalized in the early innings, leaving the bases loaded in the first and third, while Lady Warriors took advantage of three Fairfield errors.
After Adena went down in order in the top of the first inning, Fairfield loaded the bases in the bottom first inning and senior catcher Faith Miller collected an infield hit to give the home team a 1-0 lead. The Lady Warriors would tied the game 1-1 with a run in the top of the second inning and took a 3-1 lead with two runs in the top of the third inning.
Adena added two in the top of the fourth inning and an unearned run in the top of the fifth inning to take a 6-1 lead.
In the bottom of the fifth inning Jobey Hattan led off with an infield single and advanced to second base on an errant throw to first. Sydney Sanders walked and Emmi Vance grounded out to the first baseman to advance both runners. Faith Miller lined a sacrifice fly to the center fielder to score Hattan and make the score 6-2.
Adena added a run in the sixth inning and two in the seventh inning to complete the scoring.
Leading hitters for the Lady Lions: Jobey Hattan (2 for 3, double, 1 run), Sydney Hooper (1 for 4, 1 run), Rilee Quickle (1 for 4), Sydney Sanders (1 for 2, walk), and Faith Miller (1 for 1, walk, sac fly, 2 RBIs).
Katelyn Chambliss (0-1) suffered the loss for Fairfield. In her seven innings of work she allowed nine runs (six earned) on 11 hits, three 3 walks and two strikeouts.
Greenlee Bossert (1-0) was the winning pitcher for Adena. In seven innings she gave up two earned runs on six hits and five walks, while striking out six.
The next evening Fairfield opened defense of its six straight SHAC titles with the win over Lynchburg-Clay.
Katelyn Chambliss pitched well scattering five hits and allowing just one unearned run to pick up the victory.
Jobey Hattan and Sydney Sanders both had three hits to lead a 15-hit attack by the Lady Lions. Hattan was 3 for 4 with double and a monster home run in the second inning. She scored four runs and had three RBIs. Sanders was also 3 for 4 with two doubles, ywo runs scored and wo RBIs.
The Fairfield Lady Lions wasted no time heating up their bats on a cold day scoring three runs on four hits in the first inning on a double by Hattan and singles by Sanders, Vance and Miller.
The Lady Lions scored two more runs in the bottom of the second inning. Sydney Hooper was safe on an error to lead off the inning and one out later Hattan blasted a home run over the center field fence.
Lynchburg Clay scored an unearned run in the top of the third inning to make the score 5-1.
Fairfield scored two more runs in the bottom of the third inning. Addison Bales singled with one out and Chambliss laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Bales to second base. Carly Sanders laced a double down the left field line to score Bales and advanced to score herself on two errant throws.
Fairfield scored an unearned run in the bottom of the fourth inning and Lynchburg-Clay added two runs in the top of the fifth inning on a double by Kami Collins, a single by Caitlyn Collins, and a double by Autumn Griffith.
The Lady Lions ended the game early with five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, sending six batters to the plate with all six reaching base. Hattan singled, Sanders doubled, Vance walked, Miller doubled, Gwen Cox had a bunt single, and Chambliss singled to drive in two runs and end the game 13-3.
Leading hitters for the Lady Lions: Jobey Hattan (3 for 4, double, home run, 4 runs, 4 RBIs), Sydney Sanders (3 for 4, 2 doubles, 2 runs, 2 RBIs), Faith Miller (2 for 4, double, 1 run, 1 RBI), Katelyn Chambliss (2 for 3, sac bunt, 2 RBIs), Sydney Hooper (1 for 4, 2 runs), Emmi Vance (1 for 3, walk, 1 run), Addison Bales (1 for 2, 1 run), Carly Sanders (1 for 3, double, 1 run, 1 RBI), and Gwen Cox (1 for 2, 1 run, 1 RBI).
Chambliss (1-1) was the winning pitcher for Fairfield. In six innings she allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits, two walks, and five strikeouts.
Noel Barnhill (0-2) suffered the loss for Lynchburg-Clay. In 2.6 innings, she allowed four earned runs on seven hits, no walks, and three strikeouts. Sarah McKinney’s pitched 2.3 innings, and gave up six runs (four earned) on eight hits, one walk and three strikeouts.
Information for this story was provided by Thomas E. Purtell, Fairfield Lady Lions softball.
