Published: April 08, 2008 09:45 pm            

Lady Mustangs turn back Silsbee

WEST ORANGE — Looking for their third playoff berth in as many years, the West Orange-Stark Lady Mustangs picked up a vital District 21-3A victory over the Silsbee Lady Tigers Tuesday night.

Back-to-back doubles by Rebekah Ragsdale and Jenniper Orebo in the bottom of the sixth inning gave the Lady Mustangs a little insurance as they went on to topple the Lady Tigers 2-1 at Lady Mustang Field.

The second-place Lady Mustangs (19-7, 9-2) gave up a run to the Lady Tigers (6-5 in district) in the top of the seventh. Silsbee had runners at second and third with just one out but the Lady Mustangs turned them back.

It marked the third time this season that the Lady Mustangs have downed Silsbee by a 2-1 count.

“It’s incredible that we defeated a superb Silsbee team three times this year and hold them to just one run every time,” said Mustang coach Randy Ragsdale. “They have so much talent but our kids just seem to make the big plays when it counts against them. It’s kinda strange, but our kids have played in some tight games and they’ve won most of them. If that’s luck, we’ll certainly take it. I’m really proud of the kids and hopefully we can get a big win Friday night to close the deal.”

A WO-S win on the road at last-place Jasper would seal a playoff berth.

The Lady Mustangs grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Taylor Jaynes had an infield single with one out, went to second on a passed ball and to third off a Ragsdale groundout. She was able to zip home off a wild pitch by Lady Tiger starter Danielle Treadway.

In the bottom of the sixth frame, Ragsdale smashed a deep double to center and Orebo followed by ripping a Treadway offering for a big double to left as Ragsdale cruised in to score to make it 2-0.

Without a doubt, WO-S definitely needed that run.

“How big was that,” said Ragsdale. “Rebekah really connected and then Jennipher hit the bomb to left. That was just good hitting on their part.”

In the top of the seventh Lady Tiger second baseman Kayla Adams singled to right and courtesy runner Amanda Simmons advanced to second on a passed ball. Treadway was able to cut the margin to one when she blasted a Ragsdale pitch to centerfield for a double as Simmons trotted home. Kennedy Mullens then hit a groundout, moving Treadway to third for the first out.

Brittany Crysel followed with a bunt towards third base. Treadway would get caught in a rundown betewen third and home but was called safe at third after obstruction was called on the Lady Mustangs. Crysel went all the way to second in the mayhem as Silsbee had two runners in scoring position with just one out.

However, Ragsdale patiently got out of a tough situation when she got Brittany Tanton to fly out and them fanned Caitlan Callicutt for her 10th strikeout of the game. Ragsdale scattered four Silsbee hits and walked one.

“Rebekah, she was just so cool, calm and collected,” said Ragsdale. “Nothing seems to faze her. I would go to war with her any day of the week.”

Treadway went the distance for Silsbee, allowing five hits while striking out three and walking two.

Silsbee had a little threat in the fourth after Adams, who was 2-for-3, singled to right and Treadway walked with two outs. WO-S got out of the inning when catcher Britni Revis caught a pop-up by Mullens.

In the fifth, Crysel had a leadoff bunt single was gunned down stealing by Revis.

Ragsdale was 2-for-3 at the plate as she roped a single in the third frame. Amanda Villasen had the other WO-S hit, a single to shallow right in the second.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.