BAKER — Spring Break will be a little more pleasant for Baker School’s softball team following Friday’s District 3-1A game with Northview.
The Gators broke open a 1-1 game in the bottom of the second when they sent 11 batters to the plate and scored six runs as they cruised to an 8-1 win.
Baker-Northview softball photos>>>
“It (the win) couldn’t happen at a better time for us,” Gator Coach John Carlisle said. “We had a good game last night (Thursday) and lost it in extra innings. We played well.
“We played well enough to win. I wasn’t disappointed in our performance last night. And then we came out today duplicated what we did last night.”
Baker (5-11, 4-4) drew first blood in the bottom of the first. Emily Stewart drew a one-out walk. And with two outs Alexis Mitchem doubled to center field to score Stewart.
Sloppy execution by Baker’s defense allowed the Chiefs to score their only run in the top of the second.
If Baker’s first inning had been the calm, the second inning was the storm.
Jessica Black led off the inning and struck out. She was given a reprieve when the third strike got past Northview catcher Angie Latham allowing Black to take first base.
Baker loaded the bases as Haley Melanson was safe on a fielder’s choice and Bethany McCranie reached on an error. Tori Foster’s single scored Black and Melanson.
A Stewart double scored McCranie and Foster.
Baker’s version of sister act then took over as Mykala McCranie drove in Stewart. Ashley Black drove in Mykala McCraine.
Baker finished off the scoring in the fourth when Mitchem, who had singled, scored as Chaskee Kimbrel was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
Mitchem was a workhorse in the pitcher circle for the Gators. She struck out nine Chief batters while only walking two and hitting two. Northview batters managed just four hits off Mitchem, two of which were infield hits.
Chief hitters only had three balls make it to the outfield.
Baker had eight hits. Mykala McCraine and Mitchem powered the Gator attack with two hits each.
“It was a very good team effort tonight,” Carlisle said. “That was a shot in the arm for us. Hopefully will use that to springboard us as we come out of Spring Break and get down the stretch.
“I thought everybody played well tonight. And having a big inning is huge.”
Email News Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker pounces on Northview (VIDEO)