Roberson helps key offensive explosion in Lady Indians victory

Photos by Paula Stubbs

Payton Roberson gets a welcoming committee at home plate after her two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. Roberson had three hits in the game. 

SHARPSBURG-Payton Roberson proved to be a nemesis for the Pike County Lady Pirates Thursday night with a three hit, three RBI performance as the East Coweta Lady Indians came away with a 15-0 victory.

The three inning victory improved the Lady Indians' overall record to 23-3 as they prepare for the Region 2-AAAAAAA Tournament next Monday.

The Lady Pirates threatened to take the early lead in the game as they had the the bases loaded with one out in the top of the first inning, but pitcher Maggie Stubbs stifled the rally by recording back-to-back strikeouts.

The Roberson hitting binge started in the first inning after Madison Duffel reached on a double when the former drilled a 2-2 offering over the right field fence for a two-run home run.

After Stubbs tossed a scoreless top of the second inning, the Lady Indians gave her more run support in the bottom of the frame as 17 batters went to the plate and scored 12 runs.

Jada Savage started the barrage when she lined a flyball over the right field fence for a solo home run that went almost 300 feet before landing.

Riley Ratzlaff followed with a single and an infield error allowed her to reach third and Gaby Gopie to reach base before Kate Miller had a run scoring bunt single.

Madison Duffel had two hits and
scored twice in the game.

Roberson struck again as her one out single scored Gopie and Addie Joiner followed with a line drive double down the third base line that scored Miller and Roberson.

Madisyn Weathers followed with a single that scored Lizzy Austin and was able to advance to third on the throw home.

Weathers scored on a single by Mallory Lumpkins and after a walk to Savage, Ratzlaff and Gopie had back-to-back run scoring singles to increase the lead to 11-0.

A sacrifice bunt by Miller accounted for the next run while a Duffel double and a single by Joiner accounted for the final runs of the inning.

The game ended in the bottom of the third inning as Jenna Helmly, Savage and Rylee Gordy reached on singles while Gopie reached on an infield error to bring the 15th run of the game plateward.

On the pitching end, Stubbs settled down after the first inning jam to record a three-hitter with four of the nine outs via the strikeout route.

The shutout was the 14th of the season for the Lady Indians.

TOURNAMENT TIME: The Region 2-AAAAAAA Tournament will begin Monday with EC facing Westlake at noon and Carrollton facing Campbell at 2:00 in the first round.

The second round will follow with the losers bracket at 4:00 and the winners bracket game will be played at 6:00.

The final rounds will be played Tuesday with the third place game scheduled for 4:00 and the final at 6:00 with an if necessary scheduled for 8:00.