The Monticello Lady Billies fell behind early against the Star City Lady Bulldogs on Friday, March 10, in a 8-4A Conference contest that was moved from Star City to Monticello.
After throwing a no-hitter against Warren in the Lady Billies first conference game, Alaina Lyle’s start against Star City would not be as successful in the circle against Star City.
Lyle would begin the game by allowing a single base runner on an error while striking out three batters in the top of the first inning.
The Lady Billies would get on the board first in the bottom of the inning on a lead off single by Kate Morgan and Lyle reaching on an error.
Aubrey Howard would hit a double to score Kate Morgan and Lyle to give the Lady Billies a 2-0 lead.
Star City would take the lead in the top of the second inning after three walks, an error, and two singles gave the Lady Bulldogs a 4-2 advantage.
Monticello would have two baserunners in the bottom of the inning on a single by Anna Morgan and Kate Morgan reaching on an error, but both runners would be stranded on the bases.
Star City increased their lead in the top of the third inning.
A lead off walk followed by a single and a hit batter would load the bases with the next Lady Bulldog batter connecting for a grand slam that gave Star City a 8-2 lead.
Lyle would move to first base from the pitcher circle with Addi Frazer taking over the pitching duties for the Lady Billies after the homerun.
Monticello battled back in the bottom half of the inning.
Lyle got things started with a lead off single followed by a double by Howard to score Lyle. Kiley Lane would single and Frazer would reach base to score Howard.
After Monticello’s courtesy runner was thrown out at second on an attempted steal, Lane would steal home for another Lady Billie run.
Anna Morgan topped off the Lady Billie runs in the inning with a solo homerun to cut the Lady Bulldog lead to 8-6.
After a three up, three down inning for the Lady Bulldogs, the Lady Billies would reclaim the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Kate Morgan singled to start the inning followed by a ground out and a double by Lyle to score Kate Morgan.
Howard would single to score Lyle followed by a single by Lane.
Frazer singled to score Lane to give the Lady Billies a 9-8 lead.
Monticello would go on to score a run in the bottom of the fifth and eight runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to complete the come from behind, run-rule, win.
Alaina Lyle had two innings of work from the circle, allowing eight runs on four hits, striking out three and walking four. Four of the eight runs were earned. At the plate, Lyle would go 3 for 5 with 3 RBI and four runs scored with a double.
Addi Frazer got the win in the contest with four innings pitched allowing no runs on two hits, walking one and striking out three. At the plate, Frazer was 3 for 4 with 2 RBI.
Anna Morgan was 3 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored with a homerun. Aubrey Howard was 4 for 5 with two doubles, one run and 6 RBI. Kate Morgan was 4 for 5 with three runs and an RBI. Kiley Lane was 3 for 4 with a run. Madeline Stanley was 1 for 4 with a run and an RBI. Skylar Burns scored two runs, and Meygan Bivens scored a run and had an RBI.
Monticello would travel to Smackover over the weekend for a pair of games against Junction City, a 9-1 win, and Camden Harmony Grove, an 8-0 win, to improve to 6-0 on the season.
In the last three contests, the Lady Billies have recorded 41 hits and 32 RBI.
The Lady Billies currently lead the conference with a 2-0 record followed by Stuttgart and Hamburg and according to Scorebook Live, the Lady Billies have moved into the top 10 in the 4A standings, ranking in seventh position.
The Lady Billies will continue conference play this week, hosting Watson Chapel on Friday, March 17, at 5 pm.
It will be the final contest before the Spring Break period begins next week.
The Lady Billies will return from Spring Break traveling to Crossett, to take on the Lady Eagles on March 28 at 5 pm.
