BAKER — With the District 3-1A softball tournament a week away Baker School’s softball team seems to be hitting its stride at just the right time.
The Gators have won three of their last four games. Baker’s latest win was a 4-2 victory over Class 6A Pensacola High School on Monday.
Alexis Mitchem led the way for the Gators tossing a three-hitter and striking out 12 Tiger batters. Mitchem also hurt the Pensacola with her bat as she went 2-for-2 with a double, single and two runs batted in. She walked in her other plate appearance.
Baker-Pensacola softball photos>>>
Baker Coach John Carlisle was pleased with what he saw from Mitchem in the circle.
“She was able to settle down and throw her game and be around the plate,” he said. “That’s huge because she throws extremely hard.
“When she’s around the plate (throwing strikes) the guy (umpire) behind the plate has a chance to settle in.”
At times an aggressive Pensacola team looked to run itself out of potential rallies.
Such was the case in the first inning when, with two outs, Tiger leadoff hitter. Elydia Eligio was thrown out trying to steal home.
The Gators (8-13) took the lead in the first inning and never trailed.
Emily Stewart drew a one-out walk and moved to third on a pair of Eligio wild pitches. Stewart scored on Mitchem’s single.
Jessica Black reached on an error to lead off the second inning for Baker. Black eventually scored on a wild pitch later in the inning.
Mykala McCranie doubled to lead off the Baker third. She scored on a Pensacola throwing error.
The Gators closed out their scoring in the fourth inning when Stewart reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on Mitchem’s double.
Several times in the first four innings it looked as if the Gators were on the brink of breaking the game open, but things never fell into place.
Baker left seven runners on base through the first four innings. Six of the runners were left standing in scoring position on second or third base.
Pensacola scored its two runs in the sixth inning, but it was too little too late as Baker held on for the win.
“We did what we needed to do to win tonight, but we missed so many opportunities,” Carlisle said. “We had prime situations with less than two outs and runners in scoring position, but we didn’t get something across, but that’s my fault.
“There were some things we faltered at tonight, but fortunately they didn’t come back to hurt us.”
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 softball team gaining momentum (PHOTOS, VIDEO)