Gainesville High Softball Gets Back In Win Column

On a chilly Tuesday night in Gainesville, the GHS Hurricanes defeated crosstown rival Buchholz Bobcats, 7-2, putting them back in the win column after the loss to Ocala Trinity Catholic last Friday ended a seven-game win streak.

When these teams met earlier on March 13, it was a much different game. The Hurricanes (10-6) took the win 11-2 by putting runs up in almost every inning. Tuesday night’s game was a closer battle and forced the Hurricanes to dig deep to secure the win. They used a monster sixth inning to score five runs and send the Bobcats packing.

Coming Out Hot

The Hurricanes jumped out to an early 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning. Lead-off hitter Madisyn Gillins got on base with a single to start the inning. Braylin Cook, an Alabama State signee, brought Gillins across the plate with an RBI single.

Buchholz responded in the third inning to tie the game at 1-all. Jordyn Cooper reached first base after being hit by a pitch and then used her speed to steal second. With two outs and a runner in scoring position, Madison Blackford stepped up to the plate. In the first inning, she had struck out swinging, and while in the box assistant coach JC Rosario told her, “We need you, hard drive.” A hard drive is just what she hit to double in Cooper and bring the game level.

Quick Responses

In the bottom of the fourth leadoff hitter Adriana Koralewski worked an 0-2 count back to full and reached first on a dropped ball in left field. Koralewski advanced to second a perfect sacrifice bunt by Lili Overstreet. Lana Renicks then hit a double. With runners on second and third and only one out, Emma Barton was able to put the Hurricanes up 2-1 with a grounder to the shortstop that allowed Koralewski to cross the plate.

The Bobcats had a quick response of their own to tie it 2-2 in the top of the sixth. Blackford reached base on a bunt and advanced to second on a wild pitch. With two outs, Leila Ricks reached first on a dribbler through the infield that rolled through the shortstop’s legs and scored Blackford.

Here Comes The Storm

The Hurricanes were able to close out the game with a strong sixth inning, one where everyone in the lineup stepped up to the plate. The inning started with a drawn walk by Cook and then back-to-back RBI doubles by Koralewski and Overstreet to put the Hurricanes up 4-2 and there were still no outs.

The downpour of doubles continued with one by Renicks and another by Olivia Lockerman. The last batter of the inning, Leanna Bourdage, drove a ball deep to the right-field wall and she tried to get to third base. A great throw from the right fielder Lucy Sturgeon beat Bourdage to the base and she was ruled out. The inning ended with Gainesville up 7-2.

Gainesville’s Josie Kirwan pitched a stunning complete game with three strikeouts, no walks and only gave up two earned runs on five hits. In the final inning, she had back-to-back grounders that came right back at her that she dished to first for the outs.

Up Next

The Hurricanes will close out the regular season with four consecutive home games. They face Santa Fe (14-1) on Thursday at 7 p.m., looking to avenge an early season 7-6 loss. Buchholz (10-8) faces visiting Bartram Trail (12-7) Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.