RHS completes comeback against Red Bay

J.R. Tidwell/FCT Casey Bolton (23) of Russellville makes contact with a pitch against Red Bay. Alaina Hester (25) of Red Bay looks on.

RED BAY — The Lady Golden Tigers of Russellville High School found themselves down 7-2 to the Red Bay Lady Tigers last Thursday at Red Bay.

Russellville then scored 10-straight runs in the last four innings of the game to pick up the 12-7 win.

“Hitting is contagious,” Russellville head coach Ted Ikerd said. “They didn’t give up.”

The Lady Golden Tigers took the first lead of the contest on a two-RBI single by Casey Bolton in the top of the second.

The Lady Tigers answered with four runs of their own in the bottom of the inning.

A bunt single by Katie Harris brought in Kellie Ballard. Carlee Berry followed that with an RBI single to center field. Alaina Hester brought a run in on a fielder’s choice, and then Monique Dulaney hit a groundball that brought in a run after a wild throw.

Red Bay extended its lead in the bottom of the third when Russellville walked in a run followed by a sacrifice groundball for an RBI by Hester. Harris then scored on an error in the pitcher-catcher exchange.

The Lady Golden Tigers mounted a comeback in the top of the fourth, which saw Red Bay’s lead end.

Mali Parrish hit a two-RBI double to left field, followed by a two-RBI double to center field by Brittany Mitchell. Madalan Benford hit an RBI double to left field, and Abbie Bendall rounded out the inning for Russellville on an RBI single to left center.

The Lady Tigers would be unable to answer after the Lady Golden Tigers took the lead with the big inning.

Russellville brought in Casey Brandenburg to pitch after Red Bay took its largest lead. And she helped prevent the Lady Tigers from making another comeback.

“We still hit her, but we hit it right to them,” Red Bay head coach Steve Cox said. “I don’t think they had to move.”

Russellville scored four more insurance runs in the later innings to ice the game.

“Errors killed us,” Cox said. “We are young and lack experience, but we’re still improving.”