By Ashley Crutcher
The South Panola slowpitch softball team faced Grenada Tuesday afternoon in a heated match, after multiple controversial calls that took away three runs from the Lady Tigers and gave Grenada an unearned out which resulted in the Lady Tigers losing the game 9-6.
The Lady Tigers were unable to score in the first two innings as Grenada scored their first run after a player hit over the fence for a homerun.
Grenada was held to the one run as Nautica Edwards made the first out by catching a fly at right. Sydney Morgan got the next two outs by throwing to first baseman Tia Townsend after diving to make the catch at short stop.
The Lady Tigers refused to allow Grenada another run in the second as third baseman Morgan Parker threw the runner out to Townsend at first.
Next, Lee Todd Ware scooped up a grounder on the mound tossing it to Morgan at second and then threw to at first for a double play.
The third inning began, 1-0, as Grenada attempted score more runs and managed to load the bases. Unfortunately for Grenada Chloe Morgan made the catch at center allowing the Lady Tigers to go back on offense and score runs.
Janarria Sanford singled to left and scored on a homerun by Sydney Morgan who knocked the ball clean over the fence at right center.
Grenada managed to score another run in the fourth, which tied the score 2-2. A double play for Grenada prevented the Lady Tigers from scoring in the fourth.
Grenada managed to score four runs in the fifth as bases were loaded and a player knocked the ball over the fence. Ware, Sanford and Chloe Morgan stopped Grenada’s scoring with three catches.
Caitlyn Seay started off the bottom of the fifth with a double followed by a single by Taylor Haney. Sanford singled to left and drove in Seay.
Sydney Morgan singled driving home Haney. Tra’Meisha Toliver followed suit with a single and allowed Sanford to reach the plate. Chloe Morgan singled past shortstop giving her sister Sydney Morgan time to reach the plate.
South Panola caught up with Grenada as the score was 6-6. Grenada coach spoke to the umpires about the Lady Tiger’s bats not having stickers on them, stating therefore they aren’t legal to be used.
To appease the coach, the umpire disregarded the previous run as Sydney Morgan was placed back on third. Morgan reached the plate a second time on a single by Kahlena Hentz.
Ware found her pitch and singled to right allowing Toliver and Chloe Morgan to score. This put the Lady Tigers up by two, 8-6, with two outs and two runners still on base.
Grenada coach again mentioned the bats being a problem to the umpires who called Ware out, taking away her hit and two RBIs (runs batted in).
The sixth inning remained scoreless. Grenada started off the seventh inning and scored three more runs.
Edwards was up to bat and hit short as Grenada’s catcher attempted the throw to first but was beat out by Edwards road runner speed.
Even though this was Edward’s third at bat, the Grenada coach stepped in informing the umpires that his line-up has number 2 Nautica Edwards to be at bat and not number 7 Nautica Edwards. Instead of changing the number on their line-up, the Grenada coach demanded Edwards be called outand she was.
The Lady Tigers continued to battle Grenada, but were unable to score again. The game ended with a final score of 9-6 in Grenada’s favor.
According to head coach Kim Wilson, the bats were supposed to be taken to Jackson over the summer to be checked for alterations, but she was unaware of the mandatory check. Wilson stated she will take the bats to Jackson to have them certified before the Lady Tigers take the field again.
“It was a miscommunication within the athletic department,” Wilson stated regarding the issue with the bats.
The Lady Tigers will face Winona at home on Monday at 4:30.