Florida Vibe storms back in the seventh, but TC Colorado escapes and advances to title game
Day Three in Westminster
Day three of the TC Pro Cup brought us to Westminster, with the TC Colorado squad squaring off against the Florida Vibe.
Ruby Meylan got the start in the circle and set the tone early, giving up only one hit in the opening frame, a single to Rachel Roupe, and striking out Taylor Pleasants with a rise ball to end the top of the first.
Jess Oakland opened the bottom half with a single to left off Sam Gress, but the Vibe settled in and retired the next three hitters to keep it scoreless.
Vibe Strike First
In the second, Hannah Adams led off with a sharp double for Florida and moved to third on a groundout. Meylan fell behind 3-1 to Sara Mosley but got her to roll one to third. Just when it looked like Meylan might escape, a rise ball skipped off the catcher’s glove, allowing Adams to come home for the game’s first run.
Meylan responded by striking out Radcliffe to limit the damage.
TC Colorado Answers Fast
The Vibe’s lead did not last long. Sarah Gordon opened the bottom of the second with a double, and Jackie Lis legged out an infield hit to put runners on the corners. Following a quick mound visit from Coach Dot Richardson, Wyckoff delivered a sacrifice fly to tie the game.
Then Avery Parker stepped in and delivered a big fly. Parker launched a two-run shot to straightaway center. Just like that, TC Colorado led 3-1 and was not done applying pressure.
Defensive Highlights and Tight Spots
Jess Oakland flashed the leather in the third, leaping at second base to rob Carmyn Greenwood of a single and preserve the lead.
In the bottom half, Taylor Pannell continued her strong week with a leadoff single. After a strikeout, Pannell was erased on a fielder’s choice, and Jackie Lis grounded out to end the inning.
Meylan Hands it Off, Mullins Steps Up
Ruby Meylan’s day appeared to have wrapped up after four quality innings. She allowed just one unearned run on three hits while striking out two. Jessica Mullins took over to start the fifth.
Sierra Frazier poked a two-out single just over Mullins’ glove, her second hit of the day. She moved to second on a wild pitch, but Mullins locked in and struck out Greenwood on a full count to end the threat.
TC Adds Insurance in the Fifth
Gress came back out for the bottom of the fifth, but her day ended after a ground-rule double to center from Jess Oakland. Jordan Johnson entered in relief.
Ava Kuszak immediately added pressure with a single to center, moving Oakland to third. Pannell brought Oakland in with a sacrifice fly to make it 4-1.
With two outs, Sarah Gordon came through again. She hammered a two-run shot to left, extending TC Colorado’s lead to 6-1. Gordon had herself a day on both sides of the ball.
Vibe Mounts a Seventh-Inning Comeback
Down 6-1 entering the seventh, Florida was not done fighting. Sara Mosley launched a two-run homer to trim the lead to 6-3 and force a pitching change. Sam Lincoln came on for TC Colorado, but the rally kept rolling.
Grayson Radcliffe struck out, but Sierra Frazier notched her third hit of the game. Emma Ritter came in to pinch run and raced to third on a Carmyn Greenwood single. That brought in Courtney May to try and close things out.
Instead, May walked Taylor Pleasants to load the bases, setting the stage for Kara Canetto. The veteran delivered with a clutch two-RBI single to center, bringing the Vibe within a run at 6-5.
With tension high, TC turned back to Ruby Meylan. The move paid off as Meylan re-entered and struck out Hannah Adams to seal the win and send TC Colorado to the Pro Cup Championship game.
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