Posted: Mar 09, 2005
Ozarks nearly turned in the weekend's biggest comeback on Saturday against Mary Hardin-Baylor when they scored five runs in the top of the seventh inning to pull within one run, but their rally was a little too late as the Lady Crusaders gained a 9-8 win. Ozarks held a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, but Mary Hardin-Baylor quickly answered with three runs of their own to take a 3-2 advantage into the second. The Lady Eagles hit back-to-back home runs in the first to begin the high-scoring affair. Both Erica Newell and Chelsea Joslin hammered out homers. Ozarks, however, would be held to one run over the next five innings before exploding for five runs in the final inning. Facing a 9-3 deficit in the seventh, Jodie Clark led off with a walk. Kara Bartholomew then reached base on a bunt and Shannon Rainbolt walked to load the bases for Armstrong. Armstrong then drew another walk to score Clark. Newell then blasted her second home run of the season for a grand slam. Newell's shot, which cut the deficit to one run, wouldn't be enough as Ozarks couldn't score after loading the bases for a second time in the inning. Joslin led the team with three hits. Newell went 2-for-4 with four RBI in the contest. Chanceree Catlett, who struck out three, took the loss. The Lady Eagles travel to Clinton, Mississippi, to face Mississippi College for a four-game series on March 11 and 12.
