Archer’s Grand slam tops Lady Tide, 5-3
Published 7:00 am Thursday, April 13, 2017
Jade Latham eyes down a difficult pitch late in Tuesday's game. Photo by Taylor Welsh.
Harlee Davis slings an out from third base to first during Tuesday's action. Photo by Taylor Welsh.
PRC Softball Head Coach Anthony LaBella talks with the players before taking the lead in the sixth inning. Photo by Taylor Welsh.
Jessica Magee looks to start a late game rally after going down by five runs in the seventh inning. Photo by Taylor Welsh.
Marissa McDonald winds up to get a runner out at first base. Photo by Taylor Welsh.
Shelby Archer swings for the fences, launching a grand slam over left field to help her team win against Picayune. Photo by Taylor Welsh.
Two Lady Devil base runners celebrate their consecutive base appearances late in Tuesday's bout. Photo by Taylor Welsh.
Madison Dudenhefer had a 2.33 ERA along with 12 strikeouts and no walks against PRC. Photo by Taylor Welsh.
Shelby Archer rounds the bases after hitting a game-changing grand slam in the sixth inning. Photo by Taylor Welsh.
The Lady Devils dugout surrounds Shelby Archer at home plate after she hit a grand slam against Picayune. Photo by Taylor Welsh.
CARRIERE — The softball matchup between Pearl River Central and Picayune was at a stalemate through the first five innings of Tuesday’s game. However, the ticking time bomb finally erupted when Lady Devils’ Shelby Archer launched a grand slam home run to hand Picayune its first district loss of the season and keep PRC’s chances of becoming district champions alive.
After PRC’s Harlee Davis knocked home another run for an RBI single, PRC built a late 5-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, but coasting to a victory is no easy task when playing against the Lady Tide.
In the final inning, Picayune began rallying hit after hit, collecting three runs to bring the score within striking distance at 5-3. However, Lady Devil pitcher Jade Latham and the PRC defense stood their ground, getting the final outs to keep the battle for the district champion alive.
Latham pitched a complete game, tallying nine strikeouts, allowing four hits and no walks. Archer finished with one hit and 4 RBIs while Davis and Beth Spiers tallied the other two hits of the game against the imposing Lady Tide pitcher Madison Dudenhefer, who despite the loss, threw for 12 strikeouts and allowed only three hits.
Elizabeth Taggard led Picayune with two hits and an RBI while teammates Dudenhefer, Marissa McDonald and De’Andrea Cunningham had one hit each.
In the race to become district champions, the Lady Devils will play against Stone County at home Thursday. The game begins at 7 p.m.
Picayune will face Harrison Central on April 18 for senior night at 7 p.m.
