BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Caitlin Frampton struck out seven batters and allowed five hits and just two walks in the Keystone Heights High School softball team’s 11-1, five-inning win over visiting Fleming Island on April 11.
The Indians (9-8) got two RBI each by Alaina Kinsall and Amber Wagner as part of a five-run fifth inning that ended the game early.
Fleming Island (13-6), which is 12th in the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Class 5A power rankings, took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a two-run double from Jolee Rich, but Frampton held the Eagles to just three hits after that.
Keystone, which is 25th in the FHSAA Class 3A power rankings, didn’t trail for long. Leadoff batter Kinsall reached on an error in the bottom of the first. Kinsall moved to second on Wagner’s sacrifice, with another error allowing Wagner to reach safely and Kinsall to advance to third. Kinsall scored on an Ashley Nugent ground out, while Wagner would score on a two-out single from Kadence Massey.
It remained 2-1 until the Indians scored four runs in the third. Wagner led off the inning with a single, followed by Abbie Roach reaching on a one-out bunt single. The Eagles unsuccessfully attempted to get Wagner out at third on a ground ball hit by Massey, loading the bases for Frampton. Like Massey, she ground into a fielder’s choice that resulted in Fleming again not making the out it was attempting to. Wagner scored, and the bases were still loaded.
The Eagles did put Roach out at home on a Delia Johnson ground ball, but Keystone was able to push three more runs across with two outs. Bella Cumbo hit an RBI single into right field before Riley Shuford ripped a two-run double into left, putting the Indians up 6-1.
Keystone’s big fifth inning didn’t get off to a promising start with just one runner on (Frampton, who singled) with two outs, but the Indians had five consecutive hits to ultimately enact the mercy rule. Cumbo and Shuford hit singles to load the bases, followed by another single from Kinsall that scored two runs. Wagner followed with a two-run triple before a Nugent double brought home the team’s 11th run.
The top of the order and the bottom of the order were both productive. Kinsall, Wagner and Nugent (batters 1-3) each had two RBI, with Wagner going 2 for 3. Cumbo, the eighth batter, went 2 for 2 with an RBI, while Shuford, the ninth batter, was 2 for 3 with two RBI.
Frampton and Massey each finished with one RBI each.
Keystone travels to play Middleburg (the top team in the FHSAA Class 5A power rankings) on Tuesday, April 16, at 6 p.m.
