Before her first at-bat Tuesday, Ridgeland’s Kara Goins wasn’t feeling it. Instead of fretting over it, the senior deferred to a higher power. Following a quick prayer, Goins lofted a two-run homer that helped propel the Lady Panthers to a 4-3 softball win over LaFayette.
The win moved Ridgeland into a tie for third with LaFayette in Region 7-AAA with just over a week remaining in the regular season. Goins, though pleased with her big hit off Taylor Free, was more thrilled about her team’s play.
“She left it hanging, and I always try to swing as hard as I can no matter what pitch it is,” Goins said. “If I’m going for it, I’m going for it with everything I have. It’s funny, but I can always tell when I’m on and when I’m not. Today, I just wasn’t in it, so when I got to the plate I said the Lord’s Prayer.
“The home run isn’t what I’m excited about. Our team played very well today.”
Ridgeland (12-7, 7-2) tacked on another run – on Decarla Cothran’s two-out RBI single – to take a quick 3-0 lead, and the margin grew to four the next inning when senior catcher Courtnee Hall laced a two-out single to left, scoring Taylor Hodges.
The early lead, however, didn’t calm Ridgeland coach Scott Harden’s nerves. He knew from experience the Lady Ramblers (15-9, 7-2) would not quit.
“Every time we play LaFayette, for some reason, it always comes down to the last pitch, and it did again today,” Harden said. “That’s a good ballclub. They’ve won a bunch of games this year, and we’re just glad to get out with a win.”
LaFayette finally reached Ridgeland pitcher Brittany Murphy in the sixth inning, putting two runners on with Madison Queen’s single and a double by Mackenzie Jones. Three batters later, with one out and the bases loaded, Allison Ashley singled in two runs, but Ashley Shadduck was thrown out trying to get to third and Murphy rallied to get Shelby Narramore on a liner to second to end the inning.
In the seventh, two errors and a single brought in one run, but with two out and runners on third and second, Murphy induced Dori Hunter to ground out to second.
Harden had high praise for Murphy, who has embraced her new role as the team’s main starter.
“We changed halfway through the season with Brittany taking over,” Harden said. “She was a relief pitcher. She kept it around the plate and got a lot of first-pitch outs. She got us back in the dugout and we were able to swing some sticks for her.”
Dana Jones had two hits for Ridgeland, while Ashley had two for LaFayette.