On a cloudy spring afternoon in Paris that threatened rain for most of the day, the Paris Lady Eagles and Two Rivers moved the start time of their game from the original schedule of 5 p.m. to 4 p.m. in anticipation of a rainy forecast. Depending on what source you used today for your weather information, rain was predicted to arrive in Paris around 6 p.m. on Thursday…and that is just what happened.
But the rescheduled start time of 4 p.m. turned out to be almost 4:20 p.m. as both teams waited for the officiating crew to arrive. Valuable time was lost with the delay, and as a result, the game was called in the Paris half of the sixth inning with one out. Two Rivers would not have a chance to take their last at-bat in the seventh inning due to lightning in the area.
The Two Rivers Lady Gators entered the game 0-2 in conference play having lost to Charleston and Cossatot River. Paris, fresh off of a devasting road loss at Hackett on Wednesday, entered the game on Thursday with a 1-4 record in the 3A-4. Paris’s only conference win was at Danville. Two Rivers, Danville and Cedarville were winless in the conference going into Thursday’s games.
Paris having played division leaders Hackett and Booneville this week, were now at a point in the schedule where most observers felt they could compete and improve their conference record. But Thursday’s game did not start out that way.
Paris took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning and seemed to be off to a very good start. But the Lady Gators would answer…and answer big. Two Rivers amassed a 10-run lead in the third inning, and Paris was again in jeopardy of being in a run-ruled, shortened game.
But the young Lady Eagles, who have continued to fight through adversity against very good competition, fought back and eventually tied the game in the fifth inning at 14-14. By this time, the weather was threatening with dark clouds, thunder, and lightening that seemed to be moving toward the ballpark.
Paris would eventually score three more runs and take the lead 17-14. Two Rivers was visibly shaken after seeing their big lead evaporate in the misty rain that was beginning to fall.
With Paris batting in the bottom half of the sixth, and with one out, the umpire crew called the game. After discussions with both coaches, the game went final, and the Paris Lady Eagles had clawed their way back from a huge deficit to win their second conference game.
With the win, Paris improved their conference record to 2-4, three and a half games behind conference leader Hackett. Two Rivers dropped their conference record to 0-3 along with Cedarville and Danville. The Lady Eagles are currently fifth in the conference behind leaders Hackett, Charleston, Booneville, and Cossatot River.
The Lady Eagles showed great character and competitive sprit on Thursday. After many hardships on the road this week, it felt great to see the team have some success and fun on the field. Paris fans hope to see the fun continue next Tuesday, April 4, when the Lady Eagles host Cedarville at 5 p.m. RNN Sports will be in Paris next Tuesday to bring you coverage of the Lady Eagles’ conference softball game with Cedarville.
