Orland tripped up on home diamond

The softball teams from Corning and Orland high schools squared off on the diamond Tuesday in Orland, with the Lady Cardinals breaking open a 4-4 contest with three runs in the 7th, and holding off the Trojans by the score of 7-4.

With many players from both teams favoring sleeves underneath their uniform shirts to combat chilly and cloudy conditions, it turned into a defensive battle through the middle innings as both offenses worked on finding their timing.

The Cardinals jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first half-inning. Vada Sutfin stroked a one-out single, moved to second on Anna Curry's sacrifice bunt, and scored on an error after Erica White beat out an infield single. White wound up at third on the error, and following a Sonya Scott walk and steal of second, Angelica Ramos knocked in both runners with a bloop single to left.

The Lady Trojans got one of the runs back in the home half of the 1st. After Michelle Shelden legged out a bunt single, she then put her legs to work as Heather Oakley drilled a triple to center field, scoring all the way from first.

The 3-1 score held until the 6th, despite Corning putting its leadoff batter on in the 3rd when Vada Sutfin was hit by a pitch. Orland's Tabby Kendrick then made the defensive play of the game when she snared a liner off the bat of Curry and stepped on first for an unassisted double play.

With one out in the top of the 6th, Scott lined a single to left for Corning, and was then off to the races when the ball got past the Trojans' leftfielder. Her race ended with a headfirst slide across home plate as the result of the three-base error, making it 4-1 in the Cardinals' favor.

Trailing by three in the home half, the top of the Orland order took care of business. Anastasia Gutierrez and Shelden both singled, and Oakley then doubled to center, chasing both runners home. Kendrick's single then scored Oakley with the tying run, but Kendrick was thrown out trying to advance to second on the throw to the plate.

In the top of the 7th, Corning plated three runs without benefit of a hit. Karlie Jennings drew a base on balls, and moved up on a walk and a passed ball, before crossing the plate on a wild pitch. Michelle Silva also walked and Sutfin reached on a fielder's choice, before both came across on wild pitches.

Orland was then set down in order in the bottom of the 7th.

Ramos collected a single and double for Corning, with Scott, White and Sutfin each singling.

Oakley doubled and tripled for Orland, which also got a pair of singles from Shelden and one each by Gutierrez and Kendrick.

Curry pitched a complete game for the Cardinals, striking out four and walking just one.

Jessica Bonesio went 6 1/3 innings for the Lady Trojans, striking out five and issuing a pair of walks. Oakley came on to record the final two outs.

Orland (1-1) hosted Lassen Thursday, and will be in action this weekend at the Anderson High Tournament at Big League Dreams in Redding.

Craig Purcell is sports editor for Tri-County Newspapers. Contact him at 824-1036 or cpurcell@tcnpress.com.