New Kent falls to Grafton in nine innings

Lady Trojan Brittany LaPrade hugs teammate Stephanie Torrence (11) after circling the bases on a bunt and throwing error to score the game-tying run in the sixth inning.

Alan Chamberlain photo

Taking advantage of the controversial “international tie-breaker rule,” Grafton’s Clippers scored once in the ninth inning to escape with a 3-2 softball win over New Kent’s host Lady Trojans.

After one extra inning of play, the rule kicks in, allowing the team at-bat to start with a runner on second base. Critics complain the rule gives an unfair advantage to the offense and is only used in softball, not baseball. But both teams can benefit from the rule, and in Tuesday’s contest, the Clippers took advantage and the Lady Trojans did not.

The Clippers opened the ninth with Mareka Whittington standing on second. She took third on a sacrifice bunt and beat the throw to the plate on Ashley Ashby’s grounder to second baseman Peyton Slater.

New Kent’s bottom of the ninth opportunity began with Erica Richards racing from second to third on Madison Beasley’s sacrifice bunt. Richards, however, had to hold third on Aris Thomas’ ground out. Clipper pitcher Kayley Cox then struck out Annie Gray to end the game.

“We played really good defense today, but [Grafton] came through at crucial points,” said Lady Trojan coach Nicole O’Bier. “Somebody’s got to win, somebody’s got to lose.”

Grafton improved to 13-2 while New Kent dropped to 7-6.

The Clippers owned a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth, but a costly error tied the game. Slater drew a one-out walk and scored as Clipper catcher Lauren Washburn fired the ball down the right field line on Brittany LaPrade’s bunt. LaPrade also circled the bases.

But New Kent had little success against Cox, who pitched a two-hitter while striking out nine with her off-speed delivery that enticed a number of Lady Trojan batters to swing early and go after pitches out of the strike zone.

“We were just not waiting on her,” O’Bier said, pointing to her team’s impatience at the plate.

Grafton, meanwhile, managed six hits off Lady Trojan pitcher Destiny Eberhard who struck out three in going the distance.