In the biggest softball upset of the season, not just in Shelbyville or the Okaw Valley Conference, but in the whole area, took place on Tuesday, when the Shelbyville Lady Rams (8-12) knocked off Tuscola (17-2), 7-6.

Tuscola, who has been dominant this season found out that they are only dominant when they have their dominant pitcher on the mound. Kelsi Hoey (17-1) missed the game on Tuesday and with the Warriors ace in the hole not a factor, the Lady Rams capitalized.

Shelbyville knocked out eleven hits, including three doubles, two triples and a 2-run home run over the fence. Tuscola also had eleven hits, but all of them were singles, save a pair of triples.

Shannon Boone, the #3 batter, led the Rams hit crew, going 2-for-3 with a double, a 2-run homer, one run and three RBIs. The other top Ram hitters were from the top of the order. Chelsey Abendroth, the #2 batter, went 2-for-3 with a double, two runs scored and 2 RBIs. Kaylee Agney, the clean-up batter, went 2-for-3, with a double, and a run. Jennifer Hood, the lead-off batter, went 2-for-4 with a double and a triple and three runs scored.

With Hoey out of the picture, the pitchers on the mound were more evenly matched and they battled as they managed the game. Turaisa Welton allowed six runs on 11 hits and five walks, while striking out five. Gordon allowed seven runs, on 11 hits and two walks, while striking out four.

A difference in the game was Tuscola got the bulk of their runs early and the Rams, true to their never-say-die attitude, got the bulk of their runs late. Tuscola got three runs in the first inning, while Shelby with a walk to Abendroth and a double by Boone stranded two.

Neither team scored in the second. Tuscola scored again in the third, leading 5-0.

before the Rams got on the board in the bottom of the third. Meredith Compton singled, Hood reached on an error and Abendroth reached on an error to load the bases. A fielder’s choice made it two outs, but Agney singled in a run, 5-1. Tuscola manufactured another run in the fourth and led 6-1, when the Rams caught fire in the bottom of the fifth.

Hood sparked the comeback with a lead-off triple. Abendroth singled her home and Boone took the first pitch over the fence for a 2-run blast. Suddenly, the Rams were back in the game, trailing just 6-4. Agney then walked and Katy Langan, the fifth Ram to reach base with no outs, followed with a triple, scoring Agney and making it a 1-run ball game, 6-5 Tuscola. Welton allowed a couple of hits in the Tuscola sixth, but struck out the final batter and left those two on base.

The Rams came right back and threatened again in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Hood smacked a double, her second extra-base hit in a row. Abendroth then doubled Hood home to tie the game 6-6. Boone sacrificed and the Rams had a runner on third with two outs and the game tied. Agney smacked the third double in four batters and brought Abendroth home for what would be the winning run, 7-6 Rams.

Welton had to hold the Warriors in their last at bat to notch the upset. She did. Welton threw out the first batter on a comebacker to the mound and walked a batter. Kaylee Agney threw out the next batter, third to first, then Hailey Eigsti threw out the final batter on a ground ball, second to first, game, set, match to the Rams.

Shelbyville (8-12) was to play at Warrensburg on Thursday in a OVC game. They travel to St. Anthony on Tuesday, before a 3-game home stand that starts next Wednesday against Taylorville.

Varsity

Shelbyville 7, Tuscola 6

Tuscola 302 100 0—6-11-2