Pitcher Shelby Walters has been walking around with a guilty conscience for most of the past month after getting tagged with the loss in GPS first softball game with Baylor on April 13.
Walters pitched well that day, but gave up six runs late and was the loser in a 9-3 setback.
Tuesday afternoon at the Bruisers’ T.A. Lupton Field, the shoe was on the other foot.
The scrappy 17-year-old junior was more than up for the challenge as she limited Baylor to just four hits as the Bruisers improved to 17-6 with the 3-0 victory.
Walters walked a couple in the first inning, but was masterful in her performance as she silenced a really good-hitting Baylor.
“There was a lot of emotion out there for me today as I didn’t do my job very well last time and really wanted to make up for it today,” Walters said following the game.
“Getting past the first inning is always tough, but after I got my first strikeout, I felt like I threw a whole lot better. I didn’t do a very good job hitting, but my teammates picked me up. Ariana Whatley came through and did her job and our defense was pretty good too.
“I just tried to focus on the big picture and not worry about the little stuff, but it felt really good to play at home,” she added.
Other than the first inning where Walters walked a pair, Baylor never really threatened. Abby McNamara’s single to lead off the sixth was the only time where the Lady Red Raiders got the leadoff batter on and that was wiped out when Kamrie Rich grounded into a double play.
Baylor pitcher Macy Ann McKnight had a strong performance of her own as she limited the Bruisers to three runs on six hits. She had five strikeouts while walking three and hitting one.
The fourth inning was her only real trouble spot and that’s when the Bruisers did all of their scoring.
Hannah Kincer led off with a walk and went to second on a single by Macie Stanfield. Walters then struck out swinging before Whatley ripped the first pitch into the gap in left-center to drive in Kincer and Stanfield. Whatley advanced to third on the throw home and scored two pitches later when Karly Benefield had a sacrifice fly to right.
That’s all the offense Walters needed.
She struck out the side in the fifth before allowing the leadoff single in the sixth. Then in the seventh, Brinley Garrison had a one-out single to right, but was left standing at first when Chandler Gentry struck out and Emily Rye grounded to first to end the game.
GPS coach Susan Crownover was in the hospital the last time these two teams played, but she was well aware of how things unfolded. She said before Tuesday’s game that she just hoped her team would finish strong.
She got her wish.
“I really liked the way we played and finished today,” the veteran coach began.
“Shelby’s location was outstanding all day and she made some really big pitches when she had to have them. We kept Cheyenne Lindsey off base all day and that was huge, but Kaitlyn Songer getting three hits as our leadoff hitter was equally big.
“The bottom of our order came through with some big hits and Ariana has been struggling a little at the plate lately. Maybe that big hit will help her confidence,” Crownover added.
Baylor coach Kelli Smith had nothing but praise for Walters.
“She really pitched a great game and kept us off-balance all game. You have to score some runs to win, but we weren’t able to ever get anything going. You could see her confidence level rise when they scored those three runs,” Smith expressed.
“We hate to lose at any point in the season, but the big goal for our team wasn’t on the line today. We just have to stay focused and be ready to work at practice tomorrow, but I can promise you we’ll see them another time or two,” she concluded with a smile.
Songer had half of the GPS hits while Stanfield and Whatley had the big ones in the fourth. Walters had a single to lead off the sixth for the other Bruiser hit.
McNamara had two of Baylor’s four hits. Ace Sellers had a single in the fourth while Garrison had the other single in the seventh.
Walters finished the game by allowing four hits and walking two while striking out 10. McKnight had five strikeouts and three walks while allowing the three runs on six hits. She also hit a batter.
Both of these teams are scheduled to play Brentwood Academy later this week, possibly Thursday, to wrap up their regular seasons.
Baylor falls to 21-3 with Tuesday’s loss.
BAYLOR 000 000 0 – 0 4 0
GPS 000 300 x – 3 6 0
McKnight and Rich; Walters and Smith.
(Email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)