By Sedrick Bolton III October 4, 2022
JONESBORO In this back-and-forth game filled with surprising turns, Jonesboro gets the walk-off in the bottom of the seventh to defend their home territory against Forest Park.
The Lady Panthers took the lead early in the ball club, leading 7-2 at the top of the third. Senior Emily Reid put the crowd and her dugout in a frenzy with a dinger down center field. Reid was met at home plate with the entire team congratulating her.
Jonesboro closed the gap to one with runners coming home off balls from loaded bases. At the end of the third inning, the Lady Cardinals trailed 7-6. After a quick three-up-three-down, Jonesboro tacked on three more runs to lead 9-7 in the bottom of the fourth.
Forest Park reclaimed the lead in the top of the fifth, but the inning belonged to Jonesboro. The Lady Cardinals scored a game high eight runs in the inning to take the lead back.
A slow sixth inning saw the Lady Cardinals getting a run, which was the only score in the inning. Jonesboro lea by the largest margin on the night with the 18-11 score heading into the seventh inning.
What looked like an in-the-bag victory for the Lady Cardinals appeared to be closer than what they liked. The Lady Panthers scored sevens runs in the inning, with senior Eberlin Ramirez tying the game 18-18 by stealing home. But batter's interference gave Forest Park their third out.
With runners on first and third base, senior Qualacia Farmer hits a ground ball to the pitcher, bringing in junior Zaria Jackson for the game-winner score.
"When I was at the batting part,... I had a positive attitude the whole time," said Farmer after the game. " I just took my time and I just reset."
Despite the huge momentum Forest Park brought in the top of the seventh inning, Jonesboro's Head Softball Coach Matt Garner knew his team could close the game out.
"It was big to get out of that top of seventh tied, giving us a chance to win," said coach Garner. "Everybody came in [I] told them take a deep breath, and told them just you know stay high energy, and believe in yourself..."
Jonesboro is set to play in the regional softball tournament October 10, with their first opponent being Lovejoy.
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