May 9, 2008
MIAMI SHORES, Fla. - In a pitching dual between the Argos Jillian LaFrance and Tampa's Deanna Henriott, hits were hard to come by, as the two teams played in an elimination game. Then, it was a home run, and a lightning scare that took the highlights of the day. The two pitchers had combined for 38 wins this season, and were on their games in the pressure situation. Through the first 4 ½ innings, only three hits from the two teams combined were recorded against the starting pitchers.
In the fourth inning, West Florida's offensive leader, Nicky VanCamp doubled to start the inning. Dawnyele Stapleton pinch ran for VanCamp. After Jillian LaFrance walked, Aimee McMillion pinch ran for LaFrance, and a wild pitch moved McMillion and Stapleton to second and third, with no one out and provide the first real scoring threat of the game. However, Henriott proceeded to strike out the side to stop the rally.
Meanwhile, LaFrance was outstanding, retiring the first 10 batters in order, until giving up an infield single in the fourth inning. Then, after getting the first two batters out in the fifth inning, a single, followed by a home run, put the Argos down 2-0. Then, lightning was detected in the area, and play was halted for 52 minutes. After the fifth inning was completed, another weather delay, with more lightning and potential hail, causes a longer delay. Finally play resumed at 5:00 pm Eastern time for the game that began six hours earlier.
The UT Spartans picked up two more hits in the last two innings, while West Florida batters were unable to collect anymore. Six and a half hours after the start of the game, UWF suffered their final loss of the season. Despite the loss, the Argos had an incredible 2008 season finishing with a 40-23 record.
