News-Times Staff
El Dorado’s Sydni Crisalli launched a three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning Monday, lifting the Lady Wildcats to a 6-4 victory over Crossett in the softball season opener at El Dorado/Union County Recreation Complex.
El Dorado trailed 4-2 going into the bottom of the seventh. Grace Murry came in to run for Leah Jones, who was hit by a pitch. Grace Hargett singled to left before Taylor Mayo doubled home Murry. The next batter was Crisalli, who stepped into a 2-1 pitch and sent it sailing over the scoreboard in leftfield.
“That was a clutch hit from a senior,” said El Dorado coach Chris Ezell. “It was a no-doubter. As soon as it left the bat, we knew it was gone. I think it was still going up as it went over the scoreboard.”
Hargett went the distance in the circle, striking out 12 batters while allowing four runs on six hits with two hit batters and two walks.
“It was definitely a strong outing from Hargett in the circle,” said Ezell. “She worked her way out of a jam in the second. The bats finally started coming around in the end. They used three different pitchers and we handled that well.
“I’m proud of them for not quitting. They kept battling.”
The Lady Wildcats had seven hits in the game. Allyson Silmon was 2-for-3 with a double and a RBI. Laraan Simmons had a double and stole a base. Payton Scarlett was 1-for-2 with a sacrifice. Mayo had a double and drove in a run. Hargett was 1-for-3 and Crisalli had the three-run, walk-off homer.
El Dorado will travel to Pine Bluff today.