Prep Sports

MUNFORD — It took three games and nearly six hours, but the Lady Lions of Munford defeated Good Hope two out of three games on Tuesday to advance to the second round of sub-state.

Munford won the first game, 4-3 before dropping the second game 4-3 in eight innings. The Lady Lions fought back in the deciding game and got a big hit in the eighth inning to win, 9-5.

Munford moves to 23-13 on the season and will travel to face Carbon Hill in the second round of sub-state. Dates and times for the games will be announced as they become available.

Munford led 5-3 after six innings in the third game before a controversial call tied the game at 5 in the seventh. The Lady Lions, who batted in the top of the inning by virtue of a coin toss at the start of the third game, didn’t score any runs in their half of the seventh.

Good Hope loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh, but Munford’s defense got two base runners out to preserve the lead. With two outs and runners on first and second, Munford pitcher Celeste Goodwin threw ball four to Good Hope’s Jessica Raper. The ball went past the catcher, allowing Brandi Hudson to score. Munford catcher Amanda Crow then threw the ball to second to get the runner, Brianna Yarborough out. Yarborough eventually crossed home plate amid much confusion and while the plate umpire called time, Raper continued running the bases, eventually sliding into home plate. After much discussion with both coaches, the umpire sent Raper back to first and counted the two runs, leaving Good Hope and Munford tied at 5 runs each with two outs in the bottom of the seventh.

Good Hope’s next batter, Lashay Hinke, struck out to end the inning with the game tied at 5.

Munford started the eighth inning with a leadoff single by Chandler Browning. Caitlin Coker reached on a bunt before Tashayla Turner and Amanda Crow each struck out. Jessica Butterworth hit an RBI double to score Browning and give the Lady Lions a 1-run advantage. Keyana Chapman then came to the plate with two outs and two runners on the bases. Chapman hit a line drive over the left field wall to give the Lady Lions a 9-5 lead.

“My coach told me to catch the ball if it came to me and I worked hard to catch the ball,” Chapman said. “She had me bunting most of the time. But when she let me hit I was going to take advantage of it.”

Munford’s defense stepped up in the bottom of the inning, allowing one hit and no runs to secure the win and advance to the second round.

“This is probably been one of the most emotional roller coaster ride in a single day,” Munford head coach Kathy Brown said. “After playing three and a half hours against Lincoln last week I didn’t know if it could get any more emotional than that. I have to hand it to Good Hope, they came in here and executed when they wanted to, executed when they needed to.

“It takes a lot out of you playing a quick game then turning around and having to play extra innings the next two games. It’s just a huge emotional roller coaster ride.”

Chapman had three hits in the first game and one in the second. Helms a hit in each of the first two games.