Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PROCTORVILLE — The Fairland Lady Dragons don’t believe in doing things the easy way.

The Lady Dragons rallied for two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and escaped the River Valley Lady Raiders 3-2 on Friday to win the Division III sectional tournament.

“We survived another day. We always have trouble with River Valley,” said Fairland coach Joe Auxier.

“We got good pitching and some timely hits. We scored early and then hit a dry spell. We finally got it going again at the end.”

Chandler Fulks got the win as she gave up seven hits, struck out 11 and walked three.

Noel Mershon took the loss as she allowed six hits, struck out two and walked three.

The Lady Dragons (19-7) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a bunt single by Molly Morris, walks to Fulks and Haley Woodall, and Chelsey Stanley’s ground out.

River Valley (16-12) took a 2-1 lead in the fourth.

Ashley Cheesebrew led off with a walk and Alexis Hurt reached when her sacrifice bunt attempt was thrown away. Ashley Gilmore bunted and another error loaded the bases.

A strikeout and a force play at home left the Lady Raiders with two outs, but Maddie Branham doubled to score two runs.

Fulks singled to start the winning rally in the sixth and Woodall reached on an infield hit. After a force play at third base, Jaimie Phillips and Ellen Hinshaw had back-to-back RBI doubles.

The Lady Dragons will play Westfall in the district semifinals on Wednesday at Unioto High School.

River Valley 000 200 0 = 2 7 1

Fairland 100 002 x = 3 6 2

Noel Mershon and Libby Leach. Chandler Fulks and Molly Morris. W-Fulks (K-11, BB-3). L-Mershon (K-2, BB-3). 2B-RV: Noel Mershon, Maddie Branham; Fairland: Ellen Hinshaw, Jaimie Phillips. Hitting-RV: Chelsey Copley 1-3, Noel Mershon 1-4, Libby Leach 1-4, Ashley Cheesebrew 1-4, Bethany Gilbert 1-3, Maddie Branham 2-3 rbi-2; Fairland: Molly Morris 1-3, Chandler Fulks 1-2, Haley Woodall 1-1, Jaimie Phillips 1-3 rbi, Chloe Stanley 1-2, Ellen Hinshaw 1-3 rbi.