Published: July 10, 2008 01:55 am            

DISTRICT V TOURNEY: Creek stays on top

Two-run rally lifts Silver Creek past C-town

CHARLESTOWN — The Silver Creek 13-14 softball All-Stars scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to score a 2-1 victory over Charlestown on Wednesday in the District V tournament. The win keeps Silver Creek stay on top of the 13-14 softball tournament standings at 2-0.

Charlestown, which lost an extra-inning heartbreaker to Jeff/GRC on Monday, led 1-0 after Allie Webster doubled and scored on a Rachel Gibson single in the third inning.

Allie Block opened the sixth inning with a double. She went to third base when Kimberly Jamros grounded out to the shortstop.

The next batter, Natalie Basham, laid down a perfect bunt. When Charlestown catcher Kari Farris threw to first, Block raced home and beat Gibson’s throw to the plate for the tying score. Basham, who beat out the throw to first, went to second on the throw home.

After Kelsey Sierota hit a sacrifice fly to right field that got Basham to third, Basham scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch.

“We capitalized on being able to bunt and move people around,” Silver Creek coach Ken Jamros said.

Charlestown’s problem was that it didn’t capitalize on its opportunities.

It had a runner on third in each of the first three innings, and in the second inning Taylor Abbott, who had singled to start the inning, was thrown out at third on Webster’s double. She would have scored easily on Gibson’s single.

“We had scoring opportunities that we didn’t take advantage of,” Charlestown coach Tim Gibson. “We’re a couple of runs from being 2-0 instead of 0-2 and (lack of clutch hitting) has been the difference. It’s a little frustrating.”

In the final four innings, Charlestown had very few scoring opportunities. That’s because Silver Creek’s Emily Clayton, who substituted for Basham on the mound, didn’t allow Charlestown any.

Clayton gave up just one hit and struck out 12 Charlestown batters.

“She shut them down,” Jamros said. “When she’s on, she’s on. Both pitchers have the capability of doing that. I’m very happy with her performance. It’s a blessing to have two pitchers that are that good.”

“She shut us down. I have to give her credit for that,” Coach Gibson concurred.

Block led Silver Creek by going 3-for-3 with a double.

“Allie was on fire today,” Jamros said. “She did a terrific job. She made some nice plays at third base as well.”

Gibson went 3-for-3 for Charlestown. She had a double and Charlestown’s only RBI.

“She was cranking it,” Coach Gibson said of his daughter. “That first one she hit to the fence was a beauty. She’s been due and this should help her confidence.”

        

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