POSTED: Tuesday April 28, 2009
Breanna English had only one hit, but she made it count.
English’s double in the top of the 11th inning drove in Megan Patras and Carson Cooper. English later scored on a single by Kelly Phillips as the Patriots beat the host Falcons 14-11 Tuesday. It was Liberty’s first victory over Foothill.
“This is a big win for us. We’ve never beat Foothill in our six-year history,” Liberty softball coach Kris Jensen said. “For us to be able to beat them in such a timely way ... it’s just exciting.”
The win moved the Patriots to 20-9, 8-3 in the Southeast League. The Falcons fell to 21-11, 7-4.
For English, winning was simply a relief.
As Liberty’s pitcher, she had nearly given the game away in the ninth inning.
With the game tied at 11 and runners on first and second, English was paid a visit by the Patriots’ pitching coach and her father, Melvyn English.
But the visit was anything but typical.
“She quoted a movie,” Jensen said. “She said: 'What do you want to tell me? Just pat my butt and go back in the dugout.’ So he did that, walked right back in and she stepped up and did her job. She is a true competitor.”
Foothill’s Kylee Taylor grounded into a fielder’s choice, then English struck out Jennifer James and Lakesha Guidry to end the inning.
In the next two innings, she allowed two hits. She went the distance, allowing 17 hits, but came away with the win.
“My coach told me I threw over 200 pitches,” English said. “That’s the first time I’ve ever done that in a game.”
Liberty led 7-4 in the fifth, but a two-run double by Maddie Wamsley cut the lead to one. Shelbie Medrano doubled and scored the tying run in the seventh on an RBI single by Rhiana Balaun.
But the Falcons weren’t able to capitalize with runners in scoring position as they left 12 runners on base, including nine in scoring position.
“We had batters in position to get that hit that we needed, but we just couldn’t get it,” Foothill coach Thomas Mayes said. “You’ve got to give credit to (English). She throws a lot of different stuff; we don’t see a lot of that. She keeps the batters on their toes.”
Crazy to read all of your email thoughts. Be proud of you girls and the coaches...they are the ones out there day after day spending there time trying to imporve their game. Everyone is so quick to judge? My neice is on one of the teams that this article is about. I'm proud of her, for doing what she loves. The comments that have been made here remind me of why I never got into coaching. Be a player first; understand the game. Then make comments/suggestions on how one may work on being a better ball player. It is what it is folks.
Congrats to Liberty for there win they did a great job!!!They have worked hard and deserve it!!!!
Foothill coaches have done a great job over the past few years and what was said is they need to go back to Coaching the way they have coached in the past. They have changed the way they are coaching. Just let the girls playball!!! We have the most talented team we have had. Players will make errors that is for sure. If you want to win you have to play as a team weather Shelbie, Alex or Cassey is pitching. The girls did fight this time and that was wonderful!!! We just have to get done acting like children and come out fighting tomorrow against Silverado. We have girls that want to win and they were winning at the start of the season. Everyone needs to back everyone up and play 100%. Do or Die!!!
We lost...bottom line..I do agree on WHY wasnt Shelbie on the hill against Liberty. As far as the coaches playing their favorites, I dont agree. The girls that are in there are there for a reason and have proven themselves to this point. As soon as we start losing a few games everyone starts pointing fingers. A player makes an error and then hits a game winning home run, WHO remembers the error?? We lost as a TEAM. Every girl did something good in that game but will only be remembered for the error or not getting that big hit. DONT BLAME ANYONE !!
the real question is why wasnt shelbie medrano pitching?? and liberty got lucky with the win. if medrano was pitching, foothill would have walked away with another win.
I don't think the problem was coaching. I can't remember, but didn't Foothill play in the last two state championship games? And how many times has Foothill been in first place? I think the Coach's do a great job. Sometimes other parents need to hold their own kids responsible and not blame others. The Coach's coach hard and the player's play hard. It is always great to watch Foothill Softball.
What an amazing game! You all did a fantastic job. Keep it up. I really think we should rename you the cardiac kids!
The lack of class of some parents never ceases to amaze me. The Lady Patriots hard work, talent, and efforts should not be disregarded. These girls work hard for their wins and deserve to be treated with respect.
Where is the great R/J sports expert, now. Maybe he'll go back an look at his pre season picks, review his prediction for this game, eat some undercooked crow and start covering this team like they cover the teams in the Northwest....
I think the Patriots worked hard....Maybe it's time to start giving credit to those girls. Liberty is NEVER given props for there hard work. These girls earned there wins! Good job Lady Patriots!
FHS COACHES!!!
I don't understand how you can go from being in first place first half, to being in 4th so quickly!!! We should have won all those games!!! I think you need to rethink your coaching and go back to how you coached the last few years!!! Quit playing favorites and put someone else in that can do the job!!!! Errors are killing our team and the favorites to!!!
way to play. but look how the line up was. i hope its better in later games. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It has to get better. But you never know, the brain farts have too stop. It all starts from the TOP. You can't blame the players.
Thank You
Rudy Medrano
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