By Carl Holcomb
Moorefield Examiner
The Yellow Jackets erased a 4-nil deficit against Philip Barbour with two big innings and Grace Simmons finished the rally with a two-run walk-off home run securing a 13-5 victory in five innings.
Moorefield pitcher Annie Barr tossed four strikeouts in the win, issued four walks and allowed eight hits.
Philip Barbour leadoff batter Lindsey Moss smacked a single into center field, then Olivia Wilmoth drew a walk.
Avery McDaniel executed a sacrifice bunt for the Colts to advance the runners.
Colts grabbed a 1-0 edge as Katelyn Cooper notched an RBI single into left field and advanced to second base on the throw home by Caroline Auville.
Philip Barbour extended the lead to 2-0 as Payton Holbert made an RBI groundout fielded by shortstop Kerigan Bergdall.
Stefanie Barker received a free pass to put runners on the corners for the Colts, but they were stranded on a groundout by Jhenna Hicks fielded by first baseman Raleigh Kuykendall.
Moorefield leadoff batter CiCi Kump grounded out to Wilmoth at third base.
Grace Simmons smashed a double into left field and slid safely into the base on the late throw.
Simmons was left on the pond as McDaniel pitched a strikeout to Emmy Crites and induced a groundout by Seanna Heavner.
Barr pitched back-to-back strikeouts to Colts’ Payton McDaniel and Leann Moss to begin the second inning.
Lindsey Moss singled into center field and Wilmoth delivered a double into center field.
Avery McDaniel smashed a two-run producing double to put Philip Barbour up 4-0 before a groundout retired the side.
Moorefield’s Carlee Haines was issued a walk and stole second base, then Kuykendall garnered a single into center field to place runners on the corners.
Barr notched an RBI groundout and Kuykendall scored on a wild pitch for a 4-2 score.
Brenna See grounded out and Bergdall flew out to end the frame.
Kump caught a fly ball, then Barker reached base on an error and the Colts failed to score as Barr tossed a strikeout and Bergdall made a fielder’s choice out throwing to Heavner.
Kump and Simmons connected for consecutive singles as the Yellow Jackets started buzzing.
Crites plated Kump with the help of an error on a sharp grounder, 4-3.
Simmons was thrown out on a pickoff move by Colts catcher Katelyn Cooper.
Heavner tied the game with the help of an error sending Crites home and dashed to second base on the miscue, 4-all.
After a pop-out by Haines, Kuykendall ripped an RBI single into left field giving the Yellow Jackets a 5-4 lead and a groundout by Barr ended the inning.
Moss singled with one out in the fourth inning and was stranded as Barr jammed two more batters into pop-outs.
See hammered a triple into right field to get the Yellow Jackets swarming in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Bergdall recorded an RBI groundout to extend the Moorefield lead to 6-4.
Kump reached base on an error, then Simmons flew out deep in left field.
Crites crushed an RBI double into center field for a 7-4 edge.
The Yellow Jackets kept the momentum going as Heavner connected for an RBI single down the third base line and Haines singled to right field.
Kuykendall blasted a three-run home run putting the Yellow Jackets up 11-4.
Philip Barbour loaded the bases in the fifth inning, then McDaniel drew a walk to plate one run 11-5.
Moorefield got out of the jam as Barr pitched a strikeout and Simmons made a pickoff play on the third base line.
Bergdall singled with one out, then Simmons smashed a walk-off home run with two outs to give the Yellow Jackets the 13-5 mercy rule victory in five innings.
