Chamberlain scores late, dispatches Plant again

The Panthers wipe out a two-run deficit during their last at-bat only to fall 3-2 Tuesday.

By ROD GIPSON
Published March 28, 2007

TAMPA - If the likely scenario of another Plant-Chamberlain matchup comes to fruition in next month's district playoffs, Plant can only hope the third time is the charm.

The Panthers, whose only missteps this season have been against powers Gaither, Durant and rival Chamberlain, wiped out a two-run deficit during their last at-bat only to fall 3-2 Tuesday.

Chamberlain, ranked No. 1 in the state in last week's Class 5A poll, is 17-0. Plant, ranked fifth, dips to 13-4.

"I saw a much different team tonight," said Plant coach Melissa Sigmon, whose team was trounced 11-1 by Durant last week in the title game of the Spring Fling tournament. "We had one bad inning and couldn't come back from it but we played much better tonight."

That one bad inning was the second, when Panthers starting pitcher Kelli McDonaugh walked the first two batters and later had a wild pitch that allowed a run to score. An error during the same play led to a quick 2-0 lead for the Chiefs.

Both squads blew several scoring chances from that point. Plant left nine runners on base while the Chiefs left eight.

Plant loaded the bases in the seventh with three straight singles before Hannah Ojeda and Sarah Bowling knocked in runs off starter Brittany Cavalli.

But Chamberlain got an out when it needed it most as Cavalli struck out Lizzy Mischo with a runner on third base.

The Chiefs quickly responded, putting two runners on base before Jessica Mouse's single up the middle scored Jessica Fournos for the win.

"We didn't get the big hits and we had to come back," Chiefs coach Bob Diez said "It was another step for us, just doing what we had to do."

Chamberlain 3, Plant 2

[Last modified March 28, 2007, 00:38:58]