LADY BEARCATS SCORE SIX IN FOURTH INNING IN POTTSVILLE

Already leading 2-0, the Lady Bearcats started the fourth inning in Pottsville by having the first seven hitters reach base safely and seeing their lead grow to 8-0.

The Lady Bearcats (3-1) went on to beat the Lady Apaches 12-2 in six innings to bounce back from a loss at Hackett Wednesday.

Caroline Smithson started the fourth inning with a walk and Teagen McMaster took a base on balls as well. A bunt by Ellie Smith loaded the bases.

Roni Tillery (shown) singled two runs home to double the lead to 4-0 and, after a hit by Leigh Swint, Lexi Franklin doubled home two and Brooke Turner did the same to again double the lead to 8-0.

Franklin had set down the entire Pottsville lineup to that point and she started the fourth by getting the first two hitters before hitting a batter.

Two Apache doubles later, the only hits Franklin allowed, it was 8-2.

With two aboard in the Lady Bearcat sixth Joleigh Tate, who had been responsible for bringing home the first two runs of the game in the first inning, plated her third run to make it 9-2.

A Hayley Lunsford sacrifice bunt made it 10-2, Smithson hit into a fielder’s choice to score a run and a ground ball by McMaster got another run to make it 12-2.

Needing just three outs to end it, Franklin worked a 1-2-3 bottom of the inning.

The Lady Bearcats are idle until March 28 when they will take on Charleston.