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Sports

Lady Chiefs Survive Late Scare

The Chamberlain softball team sees a 7-run lead evaporate, but hang on for the win, while the young baseball team continues to progress under a new coach

Some wins aren’t very pretty, and some loses don’t always look too bad. On Friday night, Chamberlain High School had one of each.

Softball

Despite a lackluster performance, the Chamberlain softball team survived a late scare to remain undefeated in league play, edging out the 7-6 victory.

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“It was an effort thing; we just mentally weren’t here,” said Chamberlain coach Bob Diez. “We thought we could just throw our caps out there and win.”

Two outs away from the victory, Gaither’s Cailin Milne hit a 3-run home run in the seventh inning to draw Gaither, who once trailed 7-0, within one run.

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With the tying run at first-base, Chamberlain was able to hold off the Gaither offense, securing the narrow victory. However coach Diez was well aware of how close the Lady Chiefs came to losing it.

“They came in here 3-4, and we played down to them. They took advantage of us, and they should have beaten us.”

After a four-run second inning, the Lady Chiefs tacked three more runs on in the third for the 7-run lead. But in the fourth inning the momentum shifted.

Gaither scored twice in the top of the fourth inning, and in the bottom Alexis Mallow took to the mound in relief. She closed out the game, striking out four and holding Chamberlain hit-less over the final three innings.

After the game, dissapointed by the effort the girls put forth, coach Diez had them running sprints in the outfield.

“I’d rather play bad and win, then play bad and lose. But it was discouraging,” coach Diez said. “We are a much better team than this.”

Baseball

Facing the talented Gaither baseball squad, the winless Chiefs held their own, showing signs of progress in a 4-1 defeat.

“I don't like to celebrate a loss, but we did well,” said Chamberlain coach Robert Ooley, who took over the team only last month.

With the loss the Chiefs fall to 0-6.

“All we can do is keep fighting. And hopefully we can turn it around,” said coach Ooley.

One thing the team can rally around in the pursuit of their first victory is the pitching staff, who have kept Chamberlain in games late, trying to set up that first win.

Against Gaither, who are considered favorites to win the district, the bullpen remained composed, allowing no multiple-run innings.

“Every game we are getting better, and we are starting to push over the hump to get that first 'W'," said Chiefs left-fielder Devin Alvarez.

Both Chamberlain teams will be back in action at home on Tuesday, facing stiff competition in the Freedom High Patriots.

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