CULLMAN – The Cullman Lady Bearcats rallied in the bottom of the seventh after trailing 3-2 and a Bailey Swann game-winning single propelled them to a 4-3 win over the Hartselle Lady Tigers.
Through the first three innings, Hartselle's Gracie Poe and Cullman's Sierra Easterwood allowed a combined four hits. But in the top of the fourth, the Lady Tigers got on the scoreboard first when Poe launched a solo homer over the right-field fence to give Hartselle a 1-0 lead. Cullman then used the long-ball to get on the scoreboard. Hannah Morton led off the inning with a single to left field, then one out later, Olivia Schwaiger hit a two-run homer over the center field fence to give the Lady Bearcats a 2-1 lead.
The top of the sixth saw Hartselle retake the lead. Kylie Winton led off the inning with a single, then Kenzie Parker lined a triple to center field to bring home Winton to tie the game at two. Poe gave Hartselle a 3-2 lead with an RBI single to center field. They looked for more, as Emily Cowart reached on an Easterwood error, then Kalli Cartee reached on a fielder's choice. After getting out number two, Easterwood walked Kaitlyn Spangler, which loaded the bases for Kylie DuBose, but Easterwood got her to line out to Olivia Schwaiger to get out of the inning without any more damage.
Olivia Schwaiger started the Lady Bearcats' rally in the seventh with a leadoff walk, then Meredith McPherson lined a single to center field. A Kennedy Wren bunt single loaded the bases with no outs for Gracie Cook, who tied the game at three as she lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, then Swann lined a single to center field to drive in the game-winning run for Cullman, who improved to 15-15 on the season.
Easterwood went the distance, allowing six hits and three runs, walking one and striking out three. Swann had two hits, including the game winner, and an RBI. Olivia Schwaiger had a home run and two RBIs. Cook had an RBI as well, and McKensi Burks, Morton, McPherson, Tiffani Schwaiger and Wren each had a hit. Olivia Schwaiger scored two runs, and Morton and McPherson each scored one. The Lady Bearcats have won three out of their last four games, and they look to continue their recent hot streak as they travel to Ft. Payne on Thursday; the game starts at 4:30 p.m.
Poe went the distance as well, allowing eight hits and four runs, walking one, and striking out five, and also added two hits, two RBIs and scored a run. Parker added a hit and an RBI, and Winton, Cowart and Mackenzie Jackson each had a hit as well. Winton and Parker each scored a run for Hartselle, who saw their record fall to 11-13 on the season. The Lady Tigers have dropped five out of their last seven. They will travel to Columbia tomorrow for a doubleheader that starts at 4:30 p.m.
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