Gainesville Storms Back For Walk-Off Win Against Columbia

The Gainesville High Hurricanes defeated the visiting Columbia Tigers 2-1 by way of a walk-off Tuesday night. The Hurricanes avenged the 10-inning, 6-5 loss they suffered to the Tigers on Feb. 18 in Lake City.

In the top of the second inning,  Emily Delgado pounded a ball to right field that looked like an easy single for her. A costly fielding error by Josie Kirwan caused the ball to keep rolling to the fence and Delgado was able to advance to third.

Lauryn Lee brought the courtesy runner,Alexis Allen, across the plate on a fielder’s choice. Braylin Cook fielded her grounder through the infield and threw to home in an attempt to get the lead runner. Despite the throw beating Allen home, Gainesville catcher Roxanne Walsh couldn’t apply the tag in time thanks to a great slide by Allen that gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead heading into the bottom of the second.

Crunch Time For Hurricanes

Going into the seventh inning, the Tigers (12-9) were still up just 1-0. Up to that point, the Hurricanes (11-7) had left seven runners on base, five in scoring position. Tigers pitcher Kinley King was also having her way against Gainesville hitters. Before getting pulled after the fourth inning, she had five strikeouts and only one walk.

The Hurricanes started the game-winning rally with one out in the seventh, Cook was intentionally walked and Adriana Koralewski then drew a two-out walk to put runners on first and second. Lana Renicks drove in the tying run on a single.

A walk by Emma Barton loaded the bases for pinch hitter Lili Overstreet. With fans for both teams on the edge of their seats, Overstreet hit what appeared to be a routine popup to the Columbia second baseman. Everyone had prepared themselves for extra innings while the ball was still in the air, but then the unimaginable happened. The ball fell into Kimber Long’s glove just as fast as it fell out and hit the dirt. Koralewski ran home to plate the winning run.

Renicks led GHS by going 3-for-4 with three singles and the game-tying RBI.

Pitching Battle

Gainesville started Santa Fe College commit McKenna O’Sullivan in the circle. She pitched a complete game, having one strikeout and giving up one earned run on nine hits. After pulling their starter, the Tigers put Josie Raulerson and Harleigh Price in the circle. The duo had one strikeout and six walks combined. Price only gave up one hit, but surrendered the two runs that gave the Hurricanes the win.

Up Next

The Hurricanes are on a six-game homestand to end the regular season. They face the Newberry Panthers (14-4) on Friday at 7 p.m. and close against Ocala Trinity Catholic at 7 p.m. Monday.

The Tigers will go on the road to face the Baker County Wildcats (15-4) on Thursday at 6 p.m.