By Daniel Rigdon / Sports Writer
The Meridian Star
ENTERPRISE —
The Clarkdale slow-pitch softball team continued its dominance in the 2010 season, using a seven-run sixth inning to rip its biggest rival Enterprise on the road Tuesday night 13-2.
Nursing a four-run lead at 6-2 heading into the top of the sixth, Mississippi's No. 1-ranked team erupted to solidify the victory in what is usually a tightly-contested game. After back-to-back errors and a Molly McLeod single, Clarkdale's Sarah Harris ripped a two-run base hit. Amber Spann then would single to load the bases again before Lauren Thrash drove in Harris and McLeod. Alex Smith, Logan Bozeman and Abby Roberts would each drive in a run later in the inning.
"We've had some games that have went this way," said Clarkdale coach Rick Roberson. "You never expect it to go this way though. We always expect a hard-fought game when we play (Enterprise)."
CHS jumped out to an early lead in the first inning as errors plagued EHS. Smith and Bozeman each reached on errors that led to runs scoring to make it 2-0.
Clarkdale added another run in the third by way of Smith hitting into a fielder's choice that plated Harris.
However, Enterprise (7-2) would draw to within one at 3-2 when Morgan Porter crushed a home run that easily cleared the scoreboard in left field.
Clarkdale stretched its lead out to two on a Roberts single in the fourth and Shana Elmore brought home Spann and Smith on a triple in the top of the fifth.
"I really don't have an answer as to why we are playing like this," said Enterprise coach Josh Perkins of his team's performance. "We don't hit and we don't play defense. I've done a poor job coaching obviously. I've got to find a way to get things going again. We didn't show up. We got down and they took it to us. We had no answer for them offensively, defensively or mentally."
EHS dropped its second game in a row.
The top of the lineup went a combined 9-for-11 with seven RBIs, but it was the bottom of the half of his lineup that impressed Roberson.
"Our top four have been our leaders all year," noted Roberson. "Everything revolves around them, but the bottom of our order came through tonight. They were the difference for us and I'm real pleased with the way those girls played tonight."
Spann led CHS going 4-for-4 from the plate, while Smith added a hit and three RBIs. Harris, McLeod and Thrash each added two hits on the night.
The bad news for future Clarkdale opponents is that the Bulldogs are now 12-0 and have yet to play a single home game this year.
CHS travels to take on powerhouse New Hope Thursday night, while Enterprise will travel to Bay Springs.
