HICKSVILLE – The Lady Rams rallied from an early 3-1 deficit to come back and defeat the Hicksville Aces in the Sectionals held in Hicksville. Lady Rams sophomore starter Zoe Billings retired 17 straight hitters in picking up the win, while Madison Spangler and Paige Gamby combined for five hits and four RBI in the Tinora win.

The Lady Rams jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a RBI double, scoring Madison Spangler who walked and stole second base to start the game.

Hicksville saw their first five batters reach base safely, three of them scoring as the Aces responded and took a 3-1 lead after one inning. Hicksville send nine hitters to the plate, scoring three runs on five hits.

After the first five Aces reached, Coach Fairchild went out to have a conversation with his sophomore high-hander. Billings then retired the next 16 Hicksville hitters in a row.

McKenna Baird, Kennedy Adams, and Libbybell Porter all reached and scored for Hicksville in the opening frame. McKenna Rice and Evy McAlexander with RBI in the three run first inning for the Aces.

Tinora evened the game with a two run third inning. Madison Spangler singles and scored on a Paige Gamby single to cut the Hicksville lead to 3-2. Zoe Bilings RBI sac fly would tie the game at 3-3.

The Lady Rams would get the lead back with a two run top of the fourth for a 6-3 advantage. Things were looking good after a Savannah Schroeder leadoff double, but Hicksville’s starter Kennedy Adams struck out the next two Tinora hitters, leaving Schroeder at second. Schroeder would steal third and score the go-ahead run on Christina Meyers infield single for a 4-3 advantage.

Madison Spangler would would break the game open with a two-run homer to center field, Tinora grabbed a 6-3 lead.|

The Lady Rams added an insurance run in the top of the six as Paige Gamby would score on a passed ball. Tinora led 7-3 through six innings.

Hicksville finally rattled Billings with one out in the seventh. After not having a runner reach since the first inning, the Aces loaded the bases with two outs, the tying run came to the plate in Lillybell Porter. Porter hit a foul ball back by the fence that Lady Rams cater Paige Gamby was able to corral before it hit the ground, ending the game and sending the Lady Rams on to the Districts in Archbold.

Hicksville seeing their tournament season end at 10-14. The Aces senior class of Mackenzie Enderle, Lillybell Porter, and, Cici Keeley played in their final tournament as an Ace, best of luck ladies.

Hicksville will play a season ending regular season game on Saturday vs. Decalb.

Tinora improves to 10-12 and will face Crestview, who upset Fairview 4-1, on Tuesday at the Parks and Rec Center in Archbold.

The Player of the Game went to Zoe Billings for her dominate performance over the final six innings. Congratulations, Zoe!!

Listen back below, watch back link below as well.
(Audio missing first inning – it was a tough start for me LOL – too sunny to seen the mic was muted)

Watch back below:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1E2ECoeP8S

PIC Courtesy Tinora Softball Facebook page:

Tournament bracket page:
https://officials.myohsaa.org/Admin/Bracket/PublicBracket?TournamentId=4299#