GHS Softball Pulls Out Tough Win Against Forest

The Gainesville ‘Canes beat the Ocala Forest Wildcats 3-1 Tuesday night at Boulware Ballpark.

The ‘Canes (4-5) have won four out of their last five and are starting to get back on track after falling short in the state final last season, whereas the Wildcats drop to 4-4 after a dominant 16-5 win last week.

Quick Start

The Wildcats jumped out early with two base hits and scored their first and only run on a sac-fly to left field by Olivia Lewis.

Gainesville then answered in the bottom of the inning with two leadoff walks and a RBI single by Braylin Cooke (Alabama St. signee). Forest starter Makenna Boyd then shut the door on a potential first-inning onslaught.

Both pitchers buckled down over the next four innings. McKenna O’Sullivan (Santa Fe College signee) threw three hitless innings, only giving up a leadoff single in the fifth. Boyd avoided trouble after another leadoff walk and a double by Cooke in the third. She then got out of a no-out jam in the bottom of the fifth with two runners in scoring position by getting three popouts to escape with no damage. The ‘Canes struggled with runners on, leaving nine runners on-base.

Opportunities

Forest then had a huge opportunity in the top of the sixth. The Wildcats had the bases loaded with one out after two walks and an error. After some confusion between the runners, GHS ended up getting a force out at third after a dropped third strike on a full count. The catcher stepped on home plate while the runners all tried to advance a base, believing they were forced to as the batter ran toward first. The ‘Canes kept their composure and O’Sullivan made the strong throw to third to nab the runner as she tried to dive back in safely.

After escaping the potential damage, Gainesville answered. After two walks and an infield single, the ‘Canes had the bases loaded with no outs. O’Sullivan got her own run support with a two-run single through the hole between short and third. The ‘Canes then stranded two more runners on, but looked to O’Sullivan to close it out.

Ice in the Veins

O’Sullivan finished things off and did it easily. She went 1-2-3 to knock off the Wildcats and keep the ‘Canes win streak alive. O’Sullivan finished the game with 7 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 4 K, 2 BB and the W while going 2-3 with 2 RBI at the plate. Makenna Boyd finished the game with 6 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 K, 6 BB and the loss. Cooke went 2-4 with an RBI double and Madisyn Gillins went 1-1 with three walks.

The GHS looks to continue its win streak at 7 p.m. Thursday at Buchholz (7-2).