Dowdle, Faulknor score two runs each
MERIT — The Cumby Lady Trojans lost their 10th consecutive game Friday following a crushing 9-7 defeat at the hands of the Bland Lady Tigers. Though they tried to rally back from an early deficit, their comeback attempt fell short, as the Lady Trojans’ struggles continued.
The Lady Trojans would get on the board first in the top of the first inning. Bella Faulknor and Kinslee Dowdle both scored, as the Lady Trojans took an early 2-0 lead. The Lady Tigers would answer with seven runs in the bottom of the first inning, taking a commanding 7-2 lead.
In the second inning, the Lady Trojans began chipping away at Bland’s lead. Runs by Jenna Elmore and Jenna Bearden would trim the score to 7-4.
The third inning would be scoreless, as both defenses kept the offenses at bay. The fourth inning would also end scoreless, as Bland maintained their lead.
After a scoreless fifth inning, the Lady Trojans scored again when Summer Smith launched a solo home run in the top of the sixth inning, trimming the score to 7-5. From there, the Lady Tigers added two more runs, extending their lead to 9-5.
In the seventh inning, the Lady Trojans tried to keep the game going. Though runs were scored by Faulknor and Dowdle, their efforts were too little, too late, as the Lady Tigers preserved a 9-7 win, sending Cumby home empty- handed.
As a team, the Lady Trojans batted 8 for 31 (.258) from the plate. Dowdle led the way with three hits. Faulknor tallied two hits, while Elmore, Harly Pence, and Smith added one hit each.
Dowdle and Faulknor shared the title of leading scorer with two runs each. Bearden, Elmore, and Smith scored one run a piece.
Faulknor suffered the loss on the mound. Across six innings, she surrendered 11 hits, nine runs (eight earned), and two walks, managing three strikeouts.
With the loss, the Lady Trojans dropped to 0-9 in district and 1-18-2 on the season. They played their final game of the season Monday, hosting the Wolfe City Lady Wolves.