St. James came into Friday’s game poised to win its first softball state championship since 2007.
The Sharks fell short, but they’ll get another chance Saturday afternoon.
Indian Land right-hander Avery Clark pitched a two-hitter and the Warriors stymied St. James 3-1 to even their 5A Division II state championship series at 1-1.
Game 3 is Saturday at 1 p.m. at South Florence High School. The winner claims the state championship.
“We’ll go back to square one,” said St. James coach Paula Blackwell. “It’s 1-1. … I’m proud of the kids. I know they’ll battle back. It’s the state championship.”
It was just the second loss of the year for the Sharks, who are 31-2 and ranked No. 18 in the nation by MaxPreps. St. James won Game 1, 5-3.
St. James courtesy runner Lauren Wallace is caught in a rundown.
Raegan Tibbits went the distance once again for the Sharks against a potent Indian Land lineup. A power pitcher who usually gets double-digit strikeouts, Tibbits didn’t miss nearly as many bats. She finished with just four strikeouts.
“We had opportunities,” Blackwell said. “…It happens in the game but credit Indian Land. They played a solid game.”
Clark struck out 10 and shut down everyone in the St. James lineup except Tibbits, who had both hits.
Indian Land (27-7) grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning when Taylor Marvin dumped a bloop single to left, stole second and scored on Alaura Mitchell’s single.
St. James softball coach Paula Blackwell greets Callie Centracchio during pre-game introductions.
Clark led off the third with a triple to right center. Tibbits got Brooklyn Fairfax on an infield popup. The next batter, Harper Murphy, got what may have been the most pivotal at-bat of the game. Tibbits got ahead 0-2 in the count but Murphy still managed a walk. Logan Thomas followed with a sacrifice fly and Olivia Miller smacked a run-scoring double for a 3-0 lead.
St. James broke through in the bottom of the sixth when Kenzie Kraus singled, stole second and scored on Tibbits’ double to center.
But Clark retired the last five batters she faced and the series was even.
