Tuesday, Abrah Harris walked off the Robert Toombs Christian Academy Crusaders, the #1 team in single-A, in extra innings. Wednesday afternoon, it was Emma Gourley’s turn.
For the second consecutive day, the CCA Lady Patriots walked off a higher ranked opponent with a double. Tied 17-17 in the bottom of the seventh inning – yes, you read that score correctly – Gourley laced an RBI double to defeat the Pinewood Christian Academy Lady Patriots 18-17. Pinewood, located in Bellville, is the #3 ranked team in 3A.
“It was a great game. We forgot how to play defense for a little bit in the middle of the game. But it’s been a great week for our team. Hopefully we can keep it going tomorrow,” said CCA head coach Jeremy Coram following the game.
The two teams accounted for 35 runs, 32 hits, and 16 errors (seven by Pinewood, nine by CCA). Pinewood jumped out to a 3-0 lead before CCA scored six in the bottom of the third to go up 6-3. They added two more an inning later to take an 8-3 advantage. In the fifth inning, both teams plated eight runs to make the score 16-11 in CCA’s favor. In the sixth, Pinewood scored three to get within two. CCA added one in the bottom of the frame to increase their lead to 17-14. In the top of the final inning, Pinewood tied the game at 17 after scoring three more.
That set the stage for more CCA heroics.
The previous night’s heroine, Harris, was 0-3 on the day when she stepped to the plate. She was hit by a pitch and went to first. A sacrifice bunt moved her to second. Then it was Gourley’s turn. At the time, she was 3-4 with three RBI. Gourley didn’t disappoint, doubling to bring in Harris for the game-winning run. It was Gourley’s fourth hit and fourth RBI of the night. Emy Lowery and Gracie Giddens each had three hits. Madi Rucker and Arabelle Roberts scored three times each.
Giddens started for CCA and earned the win. She went 4 2/3 innings and gave up eight runs (six earned) on 10 hits and three walks. She struck out seven. Lowery (1/3 of an inning) and Peighton Harper (two innings) also stepped into the circle. Neither gave up an earned run.
CCA is now 11-3 on the season. They play again Thursday afternoon on the road against Twiggs Academy. Late last month, CCA defeated Twiggs 25-0.