Monday Memory: Epic Comeback Highlights Reinhardt Softball's Upset of No. 2 Columbia (Mo.)
By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media
WALESKA, Ga. – Today's Monday Memory took place on March 3, 2018 in Gulf Shores, Ala., where a combined nine runs in the final two innings helped the 14th-ranked Reinhardt softball team walk-off with victory over No. 2 Columbia (Mo.), 13-12, in the third game of the Gulf Shores Tournament in which there were a combined 32 hits between the two schools.
"We didn't play our best today and there was a point that it felt like we would be run-ruled; Columbia was dominating us in every aspect of the game, so to see the fight we had is encouraging," head coach Jade Geuther said. "Our bench came up huge, and that's a great sign that we are staying engaged.
"Beating a top-five team, especially in that fashion, is huge for our mentality."
Reinhardt fell down early to the Cougars, 4-0 and 7-1, before the team started to get things rolling with three runs in the bottom of the fourth on a bases-loaded walk, an error and a sacrifice fly to left. Columbia would respond with a pair in the fifth and another tally in the sixth before the flood gates opened for the Eagles at the plate.
Down, 10-4, Reinhardt began to chip away at the deficit – first, Jessica Baker singled to right to bring in a pair of runs – and she was followed up by another bases-loaded walk and a 2-RBI single off the bat of Sarah Kate Jenkins.
A 2-run homer in the top of the seventh would again push the lead back up to three runs for Columbia, but little did either team know the drama wasn't over yet.
Five-straight hits started the bottom of the seventh for the Eagles, and back-to-back doubles from McKenzi Shelpman (2 RBIs) and Baker brought in the first trio of runs as the contest was tied just like that.
A fielder's choice immediately followed to avoid the winning run, but Jenkins showed discipline at the dish to earn the game-winning RBI on a walk on the very next at-bat.
Alise Hooks was 3-for-3 with four runs scored, and Baker went 2-for-3 with a team-high 4 RBIs.
Jenkins and Shelpman each earned a trio of RBIs in the win.
Lindsey Shepherd got the victory in relief after three innings of work.
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