Lady Indians win season opener in dramatic fashion

Lady Indians win season opener in dramatic fashion
Lee Adams/LetsGoICC.com

FULTON, Miss – The defending MACJC North Division champion Itawamba Community College Lady Indians opened the 2015 season with a dramatic extra inning 8-7 win over the Copiah-Lincoln Lady Wolves on Tuesday.

The Lady Indians took an early lead as freshman Courtney Roberts (Hatley) ripped a double to left for her first collegiate hit and RBI. In the bottom of the third inning, the Lady Indians extended their lead on an Arriann Henry (North Pontotoc) RBI double and a perfect bunt by Laken Shankle (Bruce).
 
Sophomore pitcher and Harding signee Hannah Johnson (Branson, MO) had a perfect game and a 3-0 lead through five innings, but the Lady Wolves broke the goose egg in the hit and run column by plating three runs on three hits to tie the game in the top of the sixth.

After seven innings, the game remained tied at three, but the Lady Wolves scored four runs in the top of the eighth highlighted by a 3-run homerun by Jessica Crum.

Trailing 7-3, the Lady Indians quickly loaded the bases, and Maddy Lukens (Saltillo) drove in two runs on a single to right to cut into the Lady Wolves lead. The Lady Indians plated another run to pull within one when Haley Moore (Booneville) reached on an error.

Kaitlin Bradley (New Hope) drew a walk to load the bases for Roberts, who had reached base in her four previous at bats. Roberts would reach base again as she smashed a single down the first base line to drive in two runs to give the Lady Indians the walk off win. Roberts finished 4-4 with three RBIs in her debut.

Johnson, who went 17-5 from the circle last season, picked up her first win in 2015.

For more information on ICC softball, follow the Indians on Twitter (@LetsGoICC).