Softball Storms Back From Three Down In 7th To Defeat Talladega For First Time

HOLLY SPRINGS, Miss. – The Rust College softball program entered the top of the seventh leading 7-6, fell behind 10-7, then clawed all the way back to beat the Tornadoes for the first time in 12 tries dating back to 2011, using a two-run homer by Amya Sampson, an RBI single by Haley Weatherspoon, and a walk-off RBI double by Julie Gammage to complete one of the wildest comebacks in team history, celebrating with a 11-10 triumph in the final home game of 2024.

The Basics:

• Score (Game 1 / 5 Innings)
• • Talladega – 15
  • Rust – 2
    

• Score (Game 2)
• • Rust – 11
  • Talladega – 10
    

• Records
• • Rust (5-19, 4-10 Continental)
  • Talladega (9-21, 7-5 Continental)

• Location
• • Holly Springs, Mississippi – Marshall Academy

• Series History (Since 2011)
• • Talladega Leads 11-1 (8.3%)

• Winning Streak (Since 2011)
• • Rust (W1) | Talladega's Last Win: April 21, 2024 (Game 1, 15-2)
    
    

Rust Top Performers:

• Leona Joshua is definitely making a strong case for being selected to the All-Continental Athletic Conference Team, winning game two in the circle while registering eight strikeouts and allowing just two earned runs in addition to lighting up the opposing starting pitchers to the tune of a 5-for-7 (.714) day that saw her drive in half of the team's RBIs at six, two stolen bases, two runs scored, a double, plus a round-tripper.

• Julie Gammage was the walk-off hero for the Blue and White as she was the only player to have a higher batting average than Joshua, hitting .750 over eight at-bats (6-of-8) with a trio of doubles, two ribbies, two scores, and another two steals.

• Haley Weatherspoon was also raking the Tornadoes, nearly hitting for the doubleheader cycle during a 4-for-7 (.571) home finale as she had everything but the long ball, cashing in two singles, a double, and the squad's only triple on top of drawing the lone walk plus she crossed the dish thrice.

Next:

• The Lady Bearcats will end their most successful campaign in a very long time on Tuesday afternoon with a twin-bill at Crowley's Ridge located in Paragould, Arkansas with the first pitch set for 2 and 4 p.m. inside the confines of Pioneer Park.

#PawsUp