The matchup between the top two softball teams in the Central Tennessee Conference lived up to the billing Tuesday.
Warren County and Coffee County needed extra innings to decide a victor, but the Lady Pioneers were left reeling after a 3-2 loss to the Lady Raiders.
Warren County (6-3) suffered its second loss in CTC play as Coffee County salvaged a split in the series by scoring a run in the bottom of the sixth for the victory.
The Lady Pioneers held a 2-0 lead after the top of the third, but the Lady Raiders scored one run off Erin Hollis in the third and added a run in the fourth before Lindsey Cox came in to pitch the final two innings. Coffee County scored in the sixth to earn the victory.
Warren County got the scoring started in the third when Livia Walker slapped a deep shot into center field and never stopped running. Walker scored as her inside-the-park home run gave the Lady Pioneers a 1-0 lead.
Emily Webb and Lorren Cannon followed with back-to-back singles to put two aboard with no outs. Warren County moved the runners around on a fielder’s choice by Ty Ramirez and Webb finally scored on a ground ball by Emma Holmes.
Hollis, who threw a no-hitter Monday, was again impressive in the circle for coach Gooby Martin’s team, but errors let Coffee County back in the game.
The Lady Raiders scored their first run in the third when a runner got on base on an error and came around to score. The tying run came in the fourth when Hollis allowed a lead-off double that scored on another error.
Warren County had its chances to win. The Lady Pioneers left six runners in scoring position, including leaving Cannon stranded on third base in the top of the sixth.
Coffee County won as back-to-back errors loaded the bases with one out and a game-winning single found a hole through the Lady Pioneers’ drawn-in infield.
Walker and Cannon finished with two hits apiece while Webb added a single.
Warren County played again last night on the road against Shelbyville Harris. Results weren’t available at press time.
The Lady Pioneers will try to get back on track tonight when the team plays in the Cookeville tournament.
Warren County is scheduled to play DeKalb County at 6:15 p.m. and Algood at 7:30 p.m.