Sterling is one win away from Class A state tourney

STERLING – Sterling’s Lady Tigers scored a pair of wins over Hydro-Eakley and Binger-Oney Thursday in the Class A regional tournament.

Sterling, which is hosting the tournament, used four home runs against Hydro-Eakley for the 11-8 victory. The Lady Tigers used a two-run homer by Kenley Geiger in the top of the seventh inning to seal the win. Ashlyn Clift, Emma Nunley and Ellie Pierce also homered for Sterling.

Sterling pitcher Morgan Curry was credited with the win after relieving starter Kalleigh Budd in the fifth inning.

Hydro Eakley had pulled to within 9-8 in the bottom of the sixth with three runs off two doubles and two Sterling errors.

In the second game, Sterling used a decisive fourth inning to defeat Binger-Oney, 11-6. Shelbi Pearson clobbered a three-run homer, and Ashlyn Clift hit a solo shot in the fourth inning as Sterling jumped ahead of Binger-Oney, 9-6. Sterling added two insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to seal the win.

Curry was credited with the win after relieving Budd in the fourth inning. The pitching duo allowed six earned runs while giving up 15 hits and striking out six hitters.

In other Thursday action, Binger defeated Wilson 12-9 and Hydro shut out Wilson later in the day, 2-0, setting up the Binger-Hydro matchup, which is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday.

Sterling was set to play the winner of the Binger-Hydro game at 12:45 p.m. today. If the Lady Tigers win, they will advance to the Class A state tournament Oct. 6-8. If they lose, a final championship game would be played between the same two teams at 4 p.m.

See the Oct. 7 issue of the Southwest Chronicle for complete coverage of the regional tournament.