Published: September 17, 2008 09:59 am      

Bray-Doyle rallies to defeat Velma-Alma

Lady Donkeys score four runs in top of seventh in 6-4 win

VELMA — VELMA — After suffering two-out rallies for the better part of two games, turnabout was fair play for the Bray-Doyle softball team.

The Lady Donkeys (14-10) overcame a 4-2 deficit with a four runs in the top of the seventh to defeat Velma-Alma 6-4 Tuesday night. B-D’s Jordan Brown tied the game with a single that scored two runs and an error accounted for the game-winners.

“I can’t say how proud I am of the girls,” Bray-Doyle coach Joe Knapp said, “to get down 4-0 to Velma and keep battling back.

“It’s not over until the last out is accounted for. Our girls have learned through that experience.”

It was one of the biggest wins of the year for a Bray-Doyle team that has had its share of frustration in close games. It appeared that the Lady Donkeys might be in for their share of bad luck in the seventh when a call went against them.

The inning started with Whitney Mayes and Shayla Bingham reaching on singles. In an attempt to bunt them over, Shelbi Copeland’s bat hit the ball when it was in play. If not for the interference, Bray-Doyle would have had bases loaded and no outs, as it was runners remained on first and second. It proved inconsequential as the Lady Donkeys would load the bases with two outs, bringing Brown to the plate.

“We wanted to get Jordan up to the plate with the bases loaded,” Knapp said.

The senior delivered with a single that scored Mayes and Copeland to load the bases. Sarah Justus followed with a ball that was mishandled in the field, allowing two more runs to score.

“They are a good club,” Velma-Alma coach Jimmy Miller said. “They did things to win in the end and we didn’t. They were playing to win and we were playing not to lose. If you give them a foot, they will take a mile.”

Velma-Alma (18-8) appeared to be in control after it scored four runs in the bottom of the third to break a 0-0 deadlock. With one out, Shelby Hays singled and advanced to second on a ground out. With two outs, Kyla Sutton singled to score Hays and a triple by Kaitlyn Anderson plated Sutton.

The Lady Comets continued to apply pressure, with a little help from Bray Doyle. Cheyenne Wright struck out but reached first on a passed ball. Shelby Brown walked to load the bases and a single by Whitney Condit scored two more runs.

Bray-Doyle stood up to the adversity with two runs of their own in the seventh with Brown leading things off with a single, the first hit of the game off of Sutton. Sarah Justus followed by reaching on an error, and with one out, Brandi Connelly reached on an error that scored a run. Bingham singled with two outs to score Justus and pull the Lady Donkeys within 4-2.

Brown kept Bray-Doyle within striking distance over the next three innings, with the biggest threat coming in the fourth with bases loaded. The senior struck out eight and walked two while giving up seven hits. Sutton also had a good outing, giving up six hits, three of which came in the seventh, while striking out eight and walking one.

Brown led the Lady Donkeys at the plate, going 2-for-4. Bingham also had a strong game at the plate, going 2-for-3 out of the six-hole. Anderson was 3-for-3 for the Lady Comets with Hays going 2-for-3. Velma-Alma will be off for the rest of the week while Bray-Doyle will take part in the Comanche Tournament which begins Friday.