Patterson’s home runs propel Lady Vikes

Published 11:23 am Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Against the Titans, Alexis Patterson stood tall as a giant.

Warren Central’s senior shortstop went 3-for-3 with a double, two over-the-fence home runs and five RBIs Tuesday as the Lady Vikes beat the Ridgeland Lady Titans 7-3.

“I hit them, but I’ve never hit two in one game before,” said Patterson, who also homered in a win over Germantown this season. “It was good. It was fun. It got me kind of pumped up.”

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Patterson hit a three-run home run over the wall in the left field corner in the bottom of the first inning, then a solo shot to left center in the fourth. She also had an RBI double in the second.

Patterson came up in the bottom of the sixth inning with a runner on second base, but didn’t get a chance at a home run hat trick. Ridgeland coach Mike Porter ordered an intentional walk. When she reached first base, Patterson playfully swatted the air in frustration.

“It’s nice because it makes me feel like I can hit good, and they know that, but I like to hit,” Patterson said.

Although Patterson did the bulk of the damage, her teammates scored the eventual winning runs without her help.

After Ridgeland’s Olivia Jones tied the game at 3 with a two-run double in the top of the second inning, WC put runners at first and second with two outs in the bottom half. Karley Hinson drove an RBI double to left field to snap the tie, and Katie Channel scored when the throw back to the infield dribbled past the cutoff man. Hinson went to third on the error, then scored on Patterson’s double to give the Lady Vikes a 6-3 lead.

WC (4-1) dominated from there. Ridgeland (2-3) didn’t threaten again until the seventh, when it loaded the bases with two outs. Olivia Wilson hit an apparent RBI single to center field, but Lexi Burleigh cut down the runner at second base for a game-ending forceout.

Despite the relatively easy win that continued a strong start to the season, WC coach Dana McGivney said her team has yet to find its stride.

“It’s better than starting 0-4 or 1-4, so we’ll take that. But we’ve got to improve every day. We’re not where we want to be, but we are getting better,” McGivney said.