Lady Rebels lose 10-7 to Hoxie in extra innings

Riverside saw its post season hopes dashed Tuesday afternoon at Corning in the first round of the 3A District Tournament. The Lady Rebels fell to Hoxie 10-7 in nine innings on a gusty afternoon.

Riverside, who had beaten Hoxie just a week earlier, came in as the favorite, but couldn’t overcome the underdog Lady Mustangs.

Riverside took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, but Hoxie rallied, getting two runs in the third and a run in the fourth to pull ahead 3-2. The Lady Rebels jumped back on top with two runs in the fifth, but Hoxie evened the game 4-4, scoring a single run in the sixth.

Riverside outfielder Hannah Shinall hauls in a long fly ball during 3A District Tournament play Tuesday afternoon at Corning. (Town Crier photos/Trent Fletcher)

The Lady Mustangs struck first in extra innings, scoring twice in the top of the eighth to take a 6-4 lead. Riverside charged back, getting two of their own to tie the game 6-6. But in the top of the ninth, Hoxie scored four times to go up 10-6. Riverside was able to get one run in the bottom of the frame, but their rally fell short as Hoxie advanced to the regional tournament.

The Lady Mustangs out-hit Riverside 14-9. Both teams committed two errors apiece.

Katie Towery was the losing pitcher for Riverside, going nine innings, allowing eight runs, seven earned, on 14 hits. Towery struck out eight and walked four. Towery had a big day at the plate, going 4-5 with a double and two runs scored. Grace Ann Puckett delivered a two-run single. Carson Smith belted an RBI single and scored twice. Mallory Felton cracked an RBI single while Brianna Campbell singled and scored a run. McKenna Beach had a base hit while Bailey Fisher walked three times and scored a run.

“It was a great game that didn’t end the way we wanted, but Hoxie played extremely well,” said Riverside Coach T.J. Eakins. “I was pleased with our performance. I just wish for the girls we could have extended the season. I feel like we had a good year. We saw a lot of improvement from last season to this season, especially offensively. The record wasn’t what I would have liked but the schedule was very challenging. I look forward to continued improvement next year.”

Riverside closed out the regular season with a 6-2 victory over Bay Monday afternoon at Lake City.

Towery got the victory, going seven innings, allowing two unearned runs on four hits. Towery struck out 11 and walked two. Smith was a perfect 4-4 at the plate, including an RBI double and two runs scored. Towery went 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored while Felton laced an RBI single and scored a run. Campbell tripled and scored once. Whitney Wagganer singled and crossed the plate once. Delaney George was 1-3 while Fisher and Puckett both had RBI singles.