Tanner Henry
LIBERTY, Ind. – Close games can have one moment that determines the outcome.
Wednesday’s moment came as Union County’s Tanner Henry raced home on a pitch that went to the backstop.
That play led to Union County’s 2-0 Tri-Eastern Conference win over Northeastern.
Up until that point with two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Northeastern pitcher Katie Schneider had dominated Union County’s lineup.
“The majority of the game we over swung,” Union County Head Coach Scott Gray said.
“We were trying to drive the ball out of the ballpark and Katie’s one of those kids where she doesn’t give up many home runs,” Gray continued. “You’ve got to shorten your swing and put it in play and make them play defense.”
When Schneider hit Henry with a pitch with two outs in the sixth, it set in motion the sequence of events that enabled the Patriots to come out on top.
“It was about whatever it takes to get on base,” Gray said. “Tanner choked up on the plate a little bit and gets hit in the head. (Schneider) tried to come inside on her. You’ve got to make small adjustments as you go throughout the game.”
With Henry running on contact at first during the next at bat, Tara Williams found just the right spot in shallow centerfield for a single that moved Henry to third. Williams then advanced to second on the throw back to the infield.
During Kristin Klein’s at bat, Henry was able to come home with the first run of the game as Schneider’s pitch got by Northeastern catcher Leah Hoskins.
Klein then reached base on the game’s only error as Williams scored the last run of the contest.
“We had a bloop fly in, then we had a high chopper that was tough for Sierra (Gilmore) to handle at shortstop, a hit batter and a passed ball and that’s game,” Gray said. “That’s what was going to win it. It was just a matter of who got those breaks first.”
Emma Adams kept the inning going for the Patriots with a single, but they couldn’t push across another run.
In the seventh, Union County pitcher Rachel Sparks retired all three hitters she faced to end the battle.
“Just didn’t get the bats going,” Northeastern Head Coach Geoff Williams said. “Credit to Union County and Rachel Sparks. They had a great game and they did what they needed to do.”
Perfect Until Fifth
Katie Schneider
Schneider was in command for the Knights in the scoreless affair. She retired the first 13 batters of the game with nine coming on strikeouts before she gave up a solid single to Madison Walters.
For the game, Schneider allowed three hits and had 11 strikeouts.
“She takes pride in her game when she’s on the mound and it showed,” Williams said. “Unfortunately, we had a couple things in the field that just didn’t back her up. We’re not going to blame it on that, we just flat out didn’t work the bats tonight.”
Sparks was equal to the task for the Patriots. She surrendered four hits and fanned five Knights.
Rachel Sparks
“I don’t think she missed a spot,” Gray said. “Whatever I called the ball was in that location. They really had trouble squaring up on the ball.”
Schneider had two hits for the Knights, including a double. Lena Smith added a double and Hoskins had a single.
Both teams are back in action on Saturday.
Union County (8-5, 2-1) travels to Randolph Southern for a doubleheader.
The Knights (5-3, 2-1) face Lincoln in the opening round of the Wayne County Tournament at Northeastern.
Linescore
Northeastern 000 000 0 – 0 4 1
Union County 000 002 x – 2 3 0
Batteries – Northeastern: Katie Schneider (L) and Leah Hoskins; Union County: Rachel Sparks (W) and Madison Walters. 2B – Northeastern: Katie Schneider, Lena Smith.