Van Buren Overtakes Springdale Har-Ber

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

— Ashton Sangster had already struck out twice when she came to bat in the top of the seventh inning for Van Buren.

The .600 hitter made contact this time and hit a home run to help Van Buren to a 5-3 victory over Springdale Har-Ber on Tuesday in 7A/6A-West Conference play at Hunt's Park. Sangster's line drive over the center field fence provided some cushion after the Lady Pointers scored three runs in the sixth to take a 4-2 lead.

How They Scored

Van Buren 5, Springdale Har-Ber 3

Van Buren (11-1, 2-0)^010^003^1^—^5^5^2

Har-Ber (6-3, 1-2)^011^001^0^—^3^6^1

Stafford and Miles; Bogle and Hickman. WP - Stafford, 7-1. LP - Bogle, 3-2. HR - Sangster (2).

"We've hit 12 home runs in 11 games, so that's not something new," Van Buren coach Andy Williams said. "The wind was blowing in, but it got calm. When she hit that, it deflated them."

Van Buren pitcher Tori Stafford retired three consecutive batters in the bottom of the seventh to complete the victory for the Lady Pointers (11-1, 2-0). Stafford made a fine fielding play to return the leadoff hitter, Hannah Sharum. She then struck out Marissa Davis before getting a groundout against Tiffani Ray to end the game.

Ray leads Har-Ber with five home runs.

"The big out was the bang, bang play to start the seventh," Williams said. "Tori is a competitor and tough as nails. If (the runner) gets on, then they've got people in motion and all hell's fixing to break loose."

Sangster's home run was off Gracie Bogle, who had to go the distance in the circle because Emily Stockalper was sick. Stockalper is expected to return when Har-Ber plays at Siloam Springs on Thursday.

Shortstop Morgan Neal went 3 for 3 to lead Har-Ber (6-3, 1-2) at the plate. But Neal made a low throw to first base that got past Ray and allowed two runs to score in the sixth. Austin Deere followed with an RBI groundout to put Van Buren ahead 4-2.

"They got the momentum in that one inning and never let go of it," Har-Ber coach Lynn Lawson said. "The only way to change momentum is to get up there and hit the ball. Morgan Neal hit the ball very well and Kylie Buttram did well in sac-bunt situations, but we didn't have enough support."

Buttram had two hits and a sacrifice bunt that advanced runners into scoring position. Neal scored two runs and Ray drove in a run with a sacrifice fly for the Lady Wildcats.

Sports on 04/02/2014