WINDSOR – It’s not how you start, but how you finish is what counts.
At the St. Clair Sports Park in Windsor, the Lambton Women’s Softball Program earned a split in their two games at their season opening three-team event on Saturday.
The Lions opened the day with a loss against the host St. Clair Saints, who are the defending OCAA and National Champions, before ending the day with a thrilling walk-off win over the Conestoga Condors, 4-3.
Following their three-inning defeat at the hands of the high-powered Saints, the Lions had time to re-focus and get back in the right frame of mind for their second game of the day against the Condors. Back on August 30th, the Lions split an exhibition doubleheader with Conestoga, so the two teams are familiar with one another this season already.
First year pitcher Kylee Shortt got the start against the Condors in Game Two, and she kept Conestoga off the scoreboard for four innings. She stranded Conestoga runners in scoring position in each of the first four innings, but the Lambton offense couldn’t capitalize.
In the bottom of the first inning with the Lions serving as the home team, Bri Dugal led off the inning with a walk and would later come around to score on a Paige Hudson single. That was the only run the Lions could get in the early goings.
The Condors broke through in the fifth, scoring their first run of the game thanks to a pair of doubles. They would add a second run in the top half of the sixth before the Lions tied up in their half of the inning to head into the seventh frame tied at 2-all.
In the seventh, Shortt loaded the bases with a pair of walks and a hit batter. Avery Moninger came on in relief and walked in the Condors’ third run of the day to give them a 3-2 lead. However, she stranded the bases loaded and gave the Lions a chance in the bottom half to come away with the win.
Fast forward to Moninger’s plate appearance in the bottom of the seventh. The Wallaceburg native came to the plate with Arika Irwin on first and Dugal on second. Moninger delivered a two-out single to right field that ultimately brought across both Irwin and Dugal, giving the Lions a thrilling 4-3 walk-off win in the process.
On the mound, Shortt threw six innings of ball, allowing six hits and three runs while striking out nine Conestoga hitters. Both Hudson and Paiton Choy recorded two hits apiece at the plate to lead the offense.
The Lions have a quick turnaround, as they return home for a pair of games on Sunday at Tecumseh Park. The Lions will welcome the Fanshawe Falcons and Mohawk Mountaineers to town, with the Lions and Falcons opening the day at 11:00 a.m. for their first meeting of the year.