Another lead slipped away from the Houston softball team.
The Lady Tigers jumped ahead 4-0 Tuesday afternoon against Salem and had a three-run advantage in the final inning. But Salem forced extra innings and rallied for a 9-7 eight-inning win on Carter Field.
It was the second straight loss for HHS (4-3) after building an early lead. The Lady Tigers also had a 4-0 advantage last week at Cuba before losing 9-6.
Kaitlyn Root had three of Houston’s seven hits. Madison Curtis added a pair of hits.
Junior Emily Roberts gave up 11 hits in the complete-game loss. Houston committed four errors.
{{tncms-inline alignment=”right” content=”<p>Salem 000 400 32 – 9 11 3</p> <p>Houston 202 111 00 – 7 7 4</p> <p>HHS hits: Root 3, Curtis 2, Lawson, Schivitz.</p> <p>Losing pitcher: Roberts (4-3).</p>” id=”4c37b028-a1d5-4ac0-94c1-0d9f6ea44ddd” style-type=”bio” title=”BOX SCORE” type=”relcontent” width=”half”}}
The Lady Tigers had a chance to seal the win with two outs in the top of the seventh. Ahead 7-5 with runners on first and third, Curtis, the catcher, threw the ball to third base to pick off the runner. But HHS couldn’t complete the rundown and the baserunner returned safely to third.
A stolen base and double ensued as Salem (5-3) tied the game.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Lady Tigers advanced a runner to third base with one out but were unable to score.
Salem 000 400 32 – 9 11 3
Houston 202 111 00 – 7 7 4
HHS hits: Root 3, Curtis 2, Lawson, Schivitz.
Losing pitcher: Roberts (4-3).