Lady Badgers lose to Timberlake 5-4
Photo by DON COGGER Lady Badgers ace Kadi Bateman pitches against Timberlake Tuesday. The Tigers won the game in extra innings 5-4, forcing Bonners Ferry to play Priest River on Wednesday.
Photo by JULIE GOLDER Intermountain All League players for Badgers in uniform from left Kassy Skeen, Trinity Golder, Jorryn Bennett, IML MVP Kadi Bateman and IML Coach of the Year Tomi Bateman.
The intense battle between undefeated IML league champs Bonners Ferry Badgers and Timberlake Tigers ended with an agonizing loss for the Badgers in high energy extra innings Tuesday, 5-4.
Pitcher Kadi Bateman with a dominating 8 strike-out performance for the Badgers and backed by a skillful defensive game. Both teams achieved to keep the scoreboard clear of runs and fans on edge until the top of the 6th. The Tigers crossed home plate for the first run of the game.
The powerhouse Badgers were intent to score with driven determination although they had two outs in the bottom of the 7th when Trinity Golder hit a hard line drive at the Tiger’s pitcher that advanced Badger Sydney Watt across home plate which tied the game 1-1 into extra innings.
In the top of the 8th Timberlake scored two runs.
Once again the strong- willed Badgers answered with a double RBI hit by Avery Lane sending her teammates Jadyn Bennett and Gabby Blackmore in for two runs. The inning ended with a 3-3 tie.
By the top of the 9th Timberlake scored two more runs putting the Tigers up 5-3 on the Badgers.
In the bottom of the 9th, restless fans on their feet and Bateman on second base in the extra inning rule. Jorryn Bennett hit Bateman home bringing the score to 5-4. Jadyn Bennett then hit a hard shot to the short stop sending Jorryn Bennett home which would have tied the game. In a controversial call the run was called back, and Jo Bennett called out due to what the home plate umpire ruled interference by Jo Bennett between second and third. After a brief debate over the play, the umpire stuck by his call and the game ended on a second pop fly.
“I knew it would be difficult beating a very good Timberlake team four times this season,” said coach Tomi Bateman. “My girls showed a lot of heart battling back in the 7th and 8th innings. I was so proud of their effort and not giving up. This will be a learning and growing experience for our team. Its a little tougher road but I am confident the girls can still achieve their goal of playing in the state tournament,” Bateman said.
The Badgers host the Priest River Spartans, Wednesday, May 11 at 4 p.m., in a pursuit to advance to the play-in game Saturday, May 14, in Lewiston and a second chance to compete in the state tournament May 20, 21 in Pocatello.
HITS BF: Kassy Skeen, Golder, Jadyn Bennett, Blackmore, Hunter, Coon, Jorryn Bennett (2). Lane 2B. RBI Jo Bennet, Golder, Lane (2)