Morgan feels bite of Lady Gators

Published 11:56 pm Friday, March 20, 2009

Eighth-grade pitcher Kiley Dunagan led the Clarke Prep Lady Gators to a 14-1 victory over the Morgan Academy Senators on Friday.

Dunagan had 11 strikeouts and only allowed one hit while pitching all six innings. She was also 2-for-4 at the plate. Catcher Jessica McKinley was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and one double.

Lady Gators second baseman Courtney Dunagan and shortstop Libby Harrigan each scored three times, taking full advantage of the Senators’ 14 errors.

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Morgan Academy’s first hit of the game came in the fifth inning when center fielder Brandi Sharpe’s single scored shortstop Erica Friday with only one out remaining.

Clarke Prep jumped to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning when Whitney Gavin brought home Courtney Dunagan and McKinley. Courtney Dunagan’s second inning single scored first baseman Anna Hicks. After a single from shortstop Libby Harrigan, McKinley followed Courtney Dunagan with an RBI single of her own. Hill’s following single brought home Courtney Dunagan and Harrigan, giving the Lady Gators a comfortable 6-0 lead at the beginning of the second inning.

The Lady Gators scored fours runs in each the fourth inning and sixth inning.

Morgan Academy coach Jennifer Moore said that her team was more focused on the upcoming spring break than the game. Lady Gators coach Billy Hamilton felt the same about his team.

“I think most of our girls were looking forward to spring break and weren’t real serious when they got here,” Hamilton said. “It took us about an inning for the batters to get in rhythm with the pitcher and once they got that timing down they started to hit the ball real well. They helped us out there today with a few errors, and whenever that happens good things can happen for you.”

Moore said her team’s many costly errors put the game out of the reach.

“You can’t win a game when you commit 14 errors,” she said.

The only Senator to cross home plate was shortstop Erica Friday, the lone senior on the varsity team.

The Senators are 3-8 this season. The Clarke Prep Lady Gators are 10-4 this season.