Carlie Blanton makes the tag for a key out against Forrest in the bottom of the fifth inning. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
Starting Viqueen pitcher Annie Prince is all smiles after Community recorded the final out against Forrest in the winner’s bracket finals on Thursday. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
CHAPEL HILL — It took an extra day, but once resuming play against No. 1 seed Forrest, the Community Viqueens got a two-out, two RBI triple from Kailani Allen and held on to advance to the District 9-AA championship, beating the Lady Rockets, 4-2.
Originally scheduled to be played on Tuesday, the game was postponed to Wednesday due to inclement weather.
With the threat of severe weather in the area, the teams played to a 2-2 stalemate through four complete innings before the deadly tornado outbreak hammered the area, once again prompting the game to be postponed.
Under crisp, blue skies, and not a cloud in sight, the Viqueens made sure the interruption in the game wouldn’t affect the outcome.
Taylar Wessner drew a leadoff walk in the top of the fifth and eventually moved to third on a Lady Rocket error.
Haylee Webb then ground into a fielder’s choice, but Wessner was tagged out for a second out of the inning.
With two outs, McKenzie Tucker singled on a ground ball up the middle to put two on and with two outs.
That’s when Allen stepped to the plate and slugged what proved to be the game-winning, two RBI triple, scoring Webb and courtesy baserunner Jayla Mangrum.
After grabbing the 4-2 lead, Forrest similarly put the pressure on the Viqueens in the bottom of the inning with a hit batter and a single to put two on with nobody out.
Community answered and at a key point in the game, was able to cut down the lead Lady Rocket runner at home and followed with back-to-back fly outs to end the inning.
Forrest threatened again in the bottom of the seventh when the Lady Rockets put two on with one out, following a hit batter and a Viqueen error.
But even with the Forrest threat, Community pitcher Annie Prince was able to record two-straight fly outs to center fielder Alana Tate to punch their ticket to the District 9-AA championship.
Community grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the third when Webb reached on an error, scoring Tate.
Forrest answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning and tied the game on a squeeze bunt and then took a 2-1 lead on a RBI single.
A second Viqueen run scored in the top of the fourth on another Lady Rocket error before storms prompted the game’s postponement.
Both teams connected on five hits, with Allen’s two RBI triple being the only extra base hit of the game.
Prince out-dueled Lady Rocket starter Taylor Moreland to take the win in the pitcher’s circle.
She went the distance over the two-day game, allowing two runs on five hits with six strikeouts.
Community is set to host the District 9-AA championship game at 5 p.m. in Game 1 in Unionville on Friday, with an “if-needed” game set to follow.
Community 001 120 0 — 4 5 1
Forrest 002 000 0— 2 5 4
Community: Anna Haskins 1-for-4, Gracie Daniel 1-for-4, McKenzie Tucker 1-for-3, Kailani Allen 1-for-3, Carlie Blanton 1-for-2.
WP: Prince
LP: Moreland
