A matchup of rival teams each with strong early season records lived up to expectations Friday night as the Lady Lakers of Russell County eked out a close one over the Adair County Lady Indians, 9-8.
The back-and-forth affair eventually broke in favor of the home team in the sixth, when Emma Popplewell smacked a two-run homer to put the Lady Lakers on top for good. Popplewell was the difference-maker at the plate for Russell County, going 4-4 for the game and knocking in five.
Popplewell’s battery-mate, senior Tarryn Reynolds, earned the win for Russell, throwing all seven innings and striking out 11. She allowed two walks.
“This game was a tough loss for my girls,” said Adair head coach Keith Brown. “For our four seniors, it was the last chance they would have to win against this rival, and you could read the disappointment in their faces after the game.”
Senior Hannah West and junior Skye Brockman each tallied three hits for the Lady Indians. Sophomore Ellie Cheatham took the complete-game loss, surrendering eight hits, walking one, and striking out seven. Her defense did her few favors, as Adair’s official book recorded 10 errors — a hill that proved just to much to climb.
“We gave the game away on errors made by both the coaches and the players,” Brown said. “Although the scoreboard showed an ‘L,’ I’m going to chalk that game up as a ‘gain.’ We gained by facing a solid opponent head-on and not backing down.”
The Lady Lakers’ win set their record at 5-2 on the season. Adair dropped to 4-2.
“We played them close until the last out,” Brown said. “This loss was one that hurt, as all losses do, but it was one to learn from and grow upon for the rest of the season.”
