Tigers' pitching, hitting looks sharp in impressive run at Bakersfield softball tourney

The early-season loss was anything but an omen of things to come.

Lemoore High School Softball Schedule

Lemoore, facing some of the Valley’s toughest competition, cruised to a gold bracket semifinal matchup before dropping a thrilling 5-4 to Bakersfield’s Frontier High School, losing when the Titans scored a run in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 4-4 tie.

The Tigers, in that semifinal, had a 3-0 lead against Frontier going into the bottom of the fourth when Frontier scored four times to take the lead. Lemoore responded with a run in their half of the sixth to tie the game, but Frontier got its run in the final moments.

Ashtyn Lucas, who pitched two and one-third innings and Tomi Ford who tossed the remainder, combined to give up 12 hits in the game. Ford struck out three in her three innings of work. Kellcie Adams got the win for Frontier, giving up seven hits and striking out six.

Madison Wallace led the Tigers with two hits and two RBI. Susannah Campos contributed a single and RBI.

“We lost the semifinal game of the gold bracket of the tournament,” said Tiger Coach Dione Ewing. “It was a very exciting game.  Frontier (4-1) is one of the top teams in Bakersfield, and my team gave them everything they could handle and then some.  I was very proud them.  Both teams got loud cheers at the end.  It was a very well-played game.”
In the March 8 tourney opener, Lemoore beat Chavez High School 8-2 followed by a 9-4 victory over Frazier Mountain High School.  On Friday, Lemoore crushed McFarland 17-4 and then beat tourney host Bakersfield in a 12-0 whitewash.

The Tigers (4-2) will host Dinuba in a softball matchup March 15 at 4:30 p.m.

“This was a very good tournament for several of the girls,” continued Ewing. “They hit really well and started to find their comfort zone on defense.  Both pitchers are continuing to get stronger and more confident with solid catching.  I am really looking forward to us having an enjoyable and successful season.”