Fullilove pitches no-hitter shutout over Tupelo, 11-0
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, April 1, 2014
By Angie Ledbetter
With the weather a key factor on Friday, the South Panola Lady Tiger’s (9-5) opened district play at home shutting out the Tupelo Lady Golden Wave (4-11, 0-2) 11-0.
Nicole Fullilove was on the mound for South Panola pitching a no hitter and striking out 11.
Both teams went three up three down in the first inning. In bottom of the second, the Lady Tigers scored four runs.
First baseman Hannah Moore started the rally with a double to center. Maci Kirkland came in as courtesy runner. While third baseman Haley Reid was at bat, Kirkland stole third.
Reid beat out the throw to first on a bunt. Second baseman Morgan Parker’s single drove Kirkland home and Reid to second. Left fielder Sydney Morgan grounded out to first but advanced the runners.
Left fielder Makenzie Crutcher’s single drove Reid across the plate. Designated player Ali Cummins picked up the second out. Parker scored the third run and Crutcher stole second. Leadoff batter Mallory Myers singled. Center fielder Chloe Morgan reached first on an error to load the bases. While pitcher Fullilove was at bat, Crutcher stole home on a squeeze play to put the Tigers up 4-0.
In bottom of the third Lady Tigers took a 5-0 lead on a Sydney Morgan RBI single to drive home Reid who singled to get on base.
Tupelo had runners in scoring position in top of the fourth by way of errors, but Fullilove struck out the last batter.
The weather began to take a turn for the worst, but rules dictate they have to get in five full innings to call the game.
Lady Tiger head coach Ashleigh Hicks told the team to get the job done and fast.
In the bottom of the fourth, South Panola added four runs. Cummins reached first by way of error to start things. Myers singled advancing Cummins to second. Chloe Morgan’s fielders choice resulted in Cummings’ out going to third.
Fullilove’s single drove Myers home and advanced Morgan to second. Taylor Utz ran for Fullilove. Moore slammed a double driving Morgan home. Kirkland ran for Moore.
Against a new Tupelo pitcher, Reid went to the plate and slammed a double down the third base line, driving in Utz and Kirkland for the 9-0 lead.
Fullilove retired all three Tupelo batters in order in the fifth. In the bottom of the frame the Lady Tigers added two runs as Fullilove helped her cause with a two RBI double. She drove home Crutcher who singled to get on base and Myers who reached on an error.
South Panola had eight hits, left four on base and two errors. Tupelo had no hits, left three on base and had three errors.
Hicks was very excited and told the team they did a great job getting a district win and also shutting them out.
The Lady Tigers will host Hernando today in district action starting at 5 p.m.
The Lady Tigers will play in the Morris Hunter Invitational Tournament on Friday and Saturday in Southaven. They will be back home on April 7 hosting St. Benedict of Memphis in non-district action.