Published: October 03, 2008 11:00 am      

Backs against the wall

Marlow one game from elimination

Lone Grove, OK — LONE GROVE — It looked like Kailee Roe and the Marlow Lady Outlaws were going to cruise through another unbeaten opening round tournament Thursday evening. The Lone Grove Lady Horns had other plans.

Lone Grove beat Marlow in the second round of the double-elimination regional playoff 8-5 behind some timely hitting and an uncharacteristic error-laden Marlow defense.

Roe took the loss for Marlow, giving up 12 hits and five earned runs. The Lady Outlaws committed three errors on the night, two coming in the fifth inning, when Lone Grove scored five of its runs.

“That was the difference in the game,” head coach Brian Miller said. “They put the pressure on us right there.”

The Lady Outlaws looked solid for the first few innings, as Roe looked like she has all season, striking out batters and forcing several ground ball outs. She lost control in the fifth though, walking a batter and giving up back-to-back hits, putting runners on second and third base. Marlow then committed its two errors to let the flood gates open, losing the lead for good.

“You can’t afford to allow a team like that to get back in the game,” Miller said. “They really got the momentum on their side.”

Sydney Shannon was a bright spot for Marlow, playing excellent defense at catcher to go with her 2-for-4 performance at the plate. Shannon stroked a two-run homerun in the seventh inning to cut the lead to 8-5, but that’s all Marlow’s offense could do in the last inning. Miller said Shannon has been invaluable behind the plate, keeping runners from advancing on the base paths.

“You don’t see them running,” Miller said, eluding to the fact other teams rarely try and steal bases with her catching.

Tasha Dodd had a solid night at the plate, going 2-for-4 with an RBI in the first, driving in Bretlie Richardson. Richardson finished 2-for-4 on the night as well.

The Lady Outlaws drop to the losers bracket with the loss, having to win three straight games tomorrow if they wants to advance in the state tournament. Marlow will play Madill in the first game tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. after the Lady Wildcats beat Idabel 5-0 on Thursday. The winner will play Lone Grove and have to win twice in order to advance. Miller said Friday will be a character test and that it’ll come down to which team wants it more.

“We have to find our heart and soul,” Miller said. “We’ll come and see who wants it and who will end up going home.”

In the game prior, Marlow beat Madill 9-3 behind some excellent hitting. Roe picked up the win.

Hayley Harris had three RBIs while Rachel Enos scored twice for Marlow, one of which coming in Marlow’s four-run fifth inning. Summer Foster had a good game at the plate, going 2-for-4 while reaching base three times. She scored a run in the second inning and drove in another in the fifth.

Roe struck out four batters while her defense bailed her out on occasion, turning a few swift double plays when Madill was threatening to score. In the fifth inning, Madill had the bases loaded with one out, and lined to shortstop for an inning ending double play.

The game against Madill was more exemplary of Marlow’s regular season — errorless defense and hitting the ball to the gaps.

“We really hit the ball well in the first game,” Miller said.

Marlow will have to quickly find its offense again before its season ends too abruptly. The first game against Madill will be played today at 12:30 p.m. at Lone Grove.