Oklahoma City Overcomes Early Deficit, Rides Haley Lee and Meghan Golden to 7-6 Victory
SPARK RALLY LATE AS HALEY LEE HOMERS AGAIN
A day after the Oklahoma City Spark dominated in run-rule fashion, the New York Rise came in looking to avoid a series loss with a win.
The Spark sent newcomer Terin Ritz, out of Central Oklahoma, to the circle. The Rise countered with Allie Light, and both would have to battle early.
The Rise wasted no time. After back-to-back walks to Alex Brown and Lauren Lucas to start the game, Courtney Day came through with a three-run blast to put New York on top 3-0. It was a much-needed offensive jolt after struggling in the first two games.
Oklahoma City answered in the home half. After two quick outs, Jocelyn Alo doubled and scored on a Kinzie Hansen single. Haley Lee, fresh off a dominant night at the plate, followed with an RBI-single to cut it to 3-2.
The Rise kept the pressure on Ritz in the second. Sami Williams led off with a single and later scored on an RBI-groundout from Brown. Lucas added another RBI hit, scoring Ashley Trierweiler to make it 5-2. That would be all for Ritz, who couldn’t find the zone in her pro debut.
Meghan Golden entered with two outs and struck out Day to end the inning — a call Day didn’t agree with, but one the Spark needed.
Golden took over from there, keeping things calm while the Spark tried to claw back.
Light rebounded in the second, striking out Becker and Madrey looking. Her spots were getting called, and the Rise dugout liked what they saw.
Karli Spaid led off the third with a single off Golden and later came around to score on a series of errors and base hits. Williams singled and advanced on a Coleman throwing error, and the Rise led 6-2.
That uncharacteristic miscue would fuel the Spark. Coleman ripped a double to lead off the bottom of the third. Brito walked. Alo came up with two on and no outs — but Light got her to fly out. After Hansen followed with a second out, Haley Lee made sure the Spark didn’t leave empty-handed, launching a three-run homer down the left field line to cut it to 6-5.
With offense pouring in early, Golden took the fourth looking to stabilize things.
Brown singled with one out, but Golden got Lucas on a rise ball for the second out. Day then rolled one to short, and Brito made a diving stop but couldn’t make the throw in time. With two on, Spaid stepped in — but Golden froze her on a strike three call that the Rise clearly didn’t like.
Light returned to the circle in the fourth and shut down the Spark. Coleman tried a bunt single, but Alex Brown made a sharp throw from third to end the inning.
In the fifth, Jenna Laird reached for the third straight game with a single up the middle. She tried to swipe second but was caught stealing by Kinzie Hansen. Sami Williams followed with a flyout, and Coleman made a strong catch in center to end it.
That would be the last inning for Light, who gave way to Courtney Wyche.
The Spark pounced. Brito walked, Alo singled, and a Trierweiler throwing error moved both into scoring position. Hansen grounded out to score Brito and tie it at 6.
With the score knotted, the game moved to the sixth. Rachel Becker hit one back to Wyche that kicked off her upper body for a single. Amber Torres came off the bench and laid down a clean sacrifice bunt. Then Jayda Coleman stepped up and delivered the go-ahead RBI-single to the left-center gap. Spark now led 7-6.
Golden’s night ended after 4.1 innings. She gave up just one unearned run on five hits and struck out three. Calm and collected once again, she showed poise beyond her experience.
Amber Fiser came in to close. After issuing a walk to Lucas, she struck out Courtney Day swinging for a huge first out. Fiser then finished the job, shutting the door to preserve a hard-fought 7-6 victory and seal the series.
Featured Image Courtesy of OKC SPARK
