Freedom holds off Fayetteville Christian
Patriots score lone run to defeat Warriors 1-0
By Jaclyn Shambaugh
Staff writer FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER
Freedom Christian coach Elmer Mason knows that when his Patriots meet crosstown rival Fayetteville Christian, it’s not just a game of softball, it’s a game of chess.
“It’s about being able to move the pieces at the right time,” Mason said. “Two very good pitchers like this, it’s going to be a pitching duel, and it’s going to be a match.”
The Patriots moved the pieces when they needed it, taking advantage of a walk, a hit and an error in the top of the fifth to score the lone run in a 1-0 victory at the Warriors’ home field.
First baseman Morgan Rawald started the inning with a walk, and her pinch runner Haley Roberson advanced to third on an error, setting the stage for Makenzie Mason to hit a fly ball to center field that was deep enough to bring Roberson home. It was all the Patriots (17-4) needed to support pitcher Miranda McKoy, who held the Warriors (8-2) to two hits. McKoy struck out three batters and walked two, both of which were inning leadoffs that didn’t make it past second base.
“I was getting a little frustrated because it was such an intense game,” said McKoy, a senior who has committed to Methodist. “But I was keeping myself calm, under control, not showing my emotions. And I was just focusing each pitch. My team is very encouraging, keeping everybody up.” Freedom threatened again in the sixth inning, taking advantage of a pair of Fayetteville Christian errors to put runners on third and second.
Warriors pitcher Morgan Hatchell pitched out of the jam, fielding the front end of a sacrifice bunt and to get out of the inning.
Hatchell struck out seven batters and gave up three hits and issued one walk. Freedom’s lone run, preceded by an error, was unearned.
“Obviously, our pitching kept us in the game for a good portion of it,” first-year Warriors’ coach Denzel Wallace said. “We made plays, and we made routine plays. The main thing was tough times and being able to battle through tough times, with runners on and runners in scoring position.” Staff writer Jaclyn Shambaugh can be reached at jshambaugh@fayobserver. com or 609-0651.
Patriots score lone run to defeat Warriors 1-0
By Jaclyn Shambaugh
Staff writer FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER
Freedom Christian coach Elmer Mason knows that when his Patriots meet crosstown rival Fayetteville Christian, it’s not just a game of softball, it’s a game of chess.
“It’s about being able to move the pieces at the right time,” Mason said. “Two very good pitchers like this, it’s going to be a pitching duel, and it’s going to be a match.”
The Patriots moved the pieces when they needed it, taking advantage of a walk, a hit and an error in the top of the fifth to score the lone run in a 1-0 victory at the Warriors’ home field.
First baseman Morgan Rawald started the inning with a walk, and her pinch runner Haley Roberson advanced to third on an error, setting the stage for Makenzie Mason to hit a fly ball to center field that was deep enough to bring Roberson home. It was all the Patriots (17-4) needed to support pitcher Miranda McKoy, who held the Warriors (8-2) to two hits. McKoy struck out three batters and walked two, both of which were inning leadoffs that didn’t make it past second base.
“I was getting a little frustrated because it was such an intense game,” said McKoy, a senior who has committed to Methodist. “But I was keeping myself calm, under control, not showing my emotions. And I was just focusing each pitch. My team is very encouraging, keeping everybody up.” Freedom threatened again in the sixth inning, taking advantage of a pair of Fayetteville Christian errors to put runners on third and second.
Warriors pitcher Morgan Hatchell pitched out of the jam, fielding the front end of a sacrifice bunt and to get out of the inning.
Hatchell struck out seven batters and gave up three hits and issued one walk. Freedom’s lone run, preceded by an error, was unearned.
“Obviously, our pitching kept us in the game for a good portion of it,” first-year Warriors’ coach Denzel Wallace said. “We made plays, and we made routine plays. The main thing was tough times and being able to battle through tough times, with runners on and runners in scoring position.” Staff writer Jaclyn Shambaugh can be reached at jshambaugh@fayobserver. com or 609-0651.
