Runners left on base came to bite back the E-gals on Wednesday, as it opened the door for a big fifth inning from Owensboro Catholic and a 5-3 comeback win on the road.
Apollo had control of the game early on, as a two-out error led to a one-run single from senior Emmie Bullington and a 1-0 lead going into the second. The E-gals had a nice opportunity to grow their lead in the second as well, loading the bases with no outs thanks to a leadoff walk and a pair of singles from sophomore Macy Calhoun and sophomore Abby Miles.
However, freshman Hannah Robbins was able to get a pair of pop outs and a strikeout to keep Apollo off the board and remained trailing just 1-0 going into the bottom of the second. The Lady Aces were struggling at the plate though, being held hitless and scoreless going into the bottom of the fourth.
But after a leadoff walk for junior Ruth Jones a double from senior Lilli Grant erased both of those problems, knotting up the game at 1-1. Owensboro Catholic tried to keep the bats hot in the bottom of the fifth as well, getting a leadoff single from Robbins.
It seemed as though back-to-back strikeouts for Bullington would end the threat, but a walk led to an error plating a run and a one-run single from Jones the next at-bat to take a 3-1 Lady Aces lead into the sixth. Apollo would surrender two more in the bottom of the sixth, as a one-out single from sophomore Tyranda Stuart and an error were followed up with a double from senior Brooke Hamilton to make it a 5-1 game.
The E-gals weren’t going down without a fight though, getting a pair of one-out singles and a two-out single from freshman Arianna Ramirez to load the bases in the top of the seventh. Apollo even brought a pair in, as Bullington scored two on a line drive back up the middle to center field.
However, Ramirez was thrown out by Grant trying to advance to third, thus giving Owensboro Catholic the 5-3 district win at home.
Robbins picked up the win in her-complete game effort in the circle, allowing two earned runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out six. Meanwhile, it was Brooke Hamilton who led the way at the plate with a pair of RBIs, while Jones and Grant both had one each.
Bullington on the other hand took the loss in her five-inning start, allowing one earned run—three total—on three hits, four walks and four strikeouts. Bullington also led the way at the plate with three RBIs, while freshman Hannah Holder pitched the final inning in relief, allowing two unearned runs on two hits.
Apollo falls to 11-9 overall and 2-4 in district play with the loss, as they’ll now look to bounce back in the Owensboro Catholic Classic this weekend. The Lady Aces sit at 17-7 and 4-2 with the district win, now taking an eight-game winning streak into the Owensboro Catholic Classic this weekend.
