- November 5, 2024
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When Flagler Palm Coast first baseman Jessica Hayes sprinted in to catch a game-ending pop-up, she first carefully sidestepped the just-tossed bat in the baseline.
For the Bulldogs, Tuesday’s game against Seabreeze largely boiled down to getting out of their own way. Flagler Palm Coast led throughout but allowed late rallies in the fifth and sixth frames to make the final result – a 9-8 victory – a little too close for comfort.
"Defense has been our struggle,” Flagler Palm Coast Coach Amber Shiflett said. “We’ve put ourselves in holes defensively by not making key throws or routine plays as we like to refer to it. As long as the bats continue to capitalize on the errors defensively, we should be okay.”
Catcher Addison Eggert provided the biggest bailout, going 2 for 3 with four RBIs.
The game was scoreless through the second inning, but the Bulldogs reeled off three runs in the top of the third, spurred by back-to-back walks issued to Stevens and Gabby Cochran to lead off the frame. Eggert then drove a double into the right-center field gap, scoring both runners.
She and Shiflett both noted that FPC’s lineup took a while to adjust to Seabreeze starter Britnee Dowd’s velocity. But adjust they did.
“You have to make an adjustment in the box, and we were getting jammed up inside [the first time through the order],” Eggert said. “So you kinda step off the plate, see it in and drive it out.”
Stevens, Cochran, and designated player Vicki Conner scored two runs apiece.
Seabreeze’s Taylor Lee homered to deep center in the fifth inning, a two-run shot which was nearly robbed by Bulldogs center fielder Oni Stevens. Stevens appeared to corral the ball before becoming entangled and falling over the temporary outfield fence.
“It was so funny,” said Lee, whose homer pulled the Sandcrabs within two runs at 6-4. “I tried not to laugh, but it was so funny.”
Dowd’s counterpart, FPC’s Anna Hardy, turned in a workmanlike effort, striking out seven over a complete game while allowing four earned runs. When the errors started to stack up in the later frames, Eggert and the Bulldogs took the plays that presented themselves.
“You have to come together and focus on getting outs rather than making fantastic plays, get back to the basics and fundamentals of getting outs,” Eggert said.
Hardy needed just 11 pitches to close out a perfect seventh.
“I credit her,” Shifflett said. “When the defense falls apart behind her, it’s hard to find the motivation and the strength to keep going.”
