Oxford, AL – Oxford’s Vipers are beaten by extra innings at home, however Rogers’ performance O’Neal’s power surge, and the WPF tournament hosting rights help keep hope alive
By Joe Medley
Ashley Rogers’ slow walk into the Smash It Sports Vipers pitching rotation took a second leap forward on Friday. Raina O’Neal sent another ball across the field.
Also, the Oxford is scheduled to host the Women’s Professional Fastpitch playoffs Aug. 9-14, and then those mistakes in baserunning that caused a loss of 6-5 against the Texas Smoke in eight innings on the famous Choccolocco Park field may be less painful.
The Vipers (7-21) are keeping their eyes at a larger prize and they’re working to build up to what they hope will last for six days during August.
“At the time of the day,” Vipers general manager Don DeDonatis stated, “it (the postseason tournament) is at the right time and our girls set to give a great show.”
The WPF is a four-team league. The playoffs comprises two rounds. The first seed will face No. 4 in a best of three semifinal game, and the Nos. 2, 3 and 4 seeds are set to take on. The top two seeds advance to the best-of-3 finals.
The Vipers are playing their debut season at Oxford beat Oklahoma City to win hosting rights. DeDonatis described the process as “tough.” It was a tough process. Vipers were likely to be winning hosting rights prior to their midseason break. Oklahoma City challenged but couldn’t get the dates to work, DeDonatis said.
The Vipers are, however, a work-in-progress.
Rogers who is the team’s highest draft selection, was spotted during a recent tour of the three other leagues. While working on a growing pitch count following the repair of the stress fracture of her right forearm. The star right-handed pitcher from Tennessee was recalled after a flawless game in three innings in Oklahoma City on July 26.
The following day, the player slowed to her level after Smoke scored two runs in the first inning. She knocked out eight batters over five innings before leaving with a 4-2 lead after slamming 50 strikes over 74 pitches.
“I believe that I became better as the innings continued,” she said. “That’s my goal to keep improving. I’m disappointed that we didn’t manage to victory, but I believe we’ve grown as a group today.”
Coach of the Vipers Gerry Glasco called Rogers’ performance awe-inspiring.
“She’s getting back to her best,” he said. “She’s going to be in time for her playoffs which it appears like.”
In the meantime, O’Neal keeps adding to her power numbers. The third home run she has hit in a row, a double-run shot which gave the Vipers an 3-2 lead. It also the key to their three-run fifth inning.
O’Neal was also able to regain an advantage of 5-4 for the Vipers by executing a score in the sixth inning. This would make her team’s leader with 14 RBIs on the season. Three of O’Neal’s home runs in the season came in the last 24 hours since July 24.
“Sometimes when you strike one, you begin to feel it,” the former University of Louisiana outfielder explained. “That’s all I’m experiencing for me. I’ve found a rhythm and it’s been functioning.”
The Vipers fell behind on Friday because of home runs by Baylee Klingler as well as Shelbi Sunseri. Klingler’s double-run hit in the sixth drew the game 4-4. Sunseri’s shot on her own in the seventh tied the score 5-5.
Morgan Howe’s hit behind a Klingler triple provided the Smoke a lead of 6-5 going into the eighth.
The Vipers left 11 runners on the field while the Smoke had three. The night’s emblematic moment, the Vipers were unable to make use from Suzy Brookshire’s leadoff three-run triple in the fourth.
Brookshire also singled to start in the seventh, but he veered away from first base after Kelsey’s throw into center field, which allowed the double play to occur.
The could’ves and would’ves may have been the main topic of discussion after the game however, the biggest diamond is still hanging over the Vipers. They’ll get to host the playoffs.
It’s all about playing their best ball and Rogers progress stokes the confidence.
“She’s sure to be prepared for playoffs” Glasco said.
