Sports
Canterbury Softball Advances on Dramatic Extra-Inning Win
Krissy Longstreet makes a solid defensive play to keep Southwest Florida Christian off the scoreboard, then wins the game on a squeeze bunt.
Once again Canterbury's softball squad found itself in the Class 1A region playoffs.
Once again this season Canterbury found itself in a scoreless tie in extra innings.
Once again Krissy Longstreet came through in the clutch.
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The Crusaders' catcher/pitcher/stud in a span of a few minutes took what appeared to be a potential loss into a thrilling, extra-innings win, a 1-0 Crusaders victory over Fort Myers Southwest Florida Christian in the Class 1A region quarterfinals.
The win now vaults the Crusaders 11-11 into the region semifinals and two wins away from a fourth consecutive state tournament appearance.
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With a runner at second base in the top of the eighth inning Southwest Florida looked to take the lead when a shot off the center field fence and the runner tried to score.
But there stood Longstreet in the way.
Sarah Fleming took the bounce off the center field fence and fired to third baseman Mallory Posey who rifled the ball to Longstreet.
"The throw was perfect, letter-high," Longstreet said.
Down went the tag and out went the Southwest Florida Christian baserunner to end the frame.
The Crusaders raced to the dugout squealing, as if they won the game. That would come a few minutes later.
Fleming was hit by a pitch, stole second, stole third, and Longstreet, a power hitter, crossed up Southwest Florida Christian with a squeeze bunt, scoring Fleming.
Game over, Canterbury wins.
It was hard to tell if the Crusaders were still buzzing over the win or over Longstreet's tag at home to keep Southwest Florida off the scoreboard.
"It was a perfect, textbook play," Canterbury coach Jody Moore said. "The girls turned their shoulders just like they are supposed to and the throw was a bullet to Krissy.
"You are not going through my catcher. You are not going through my catcher, no way."
No big deal said Longstreet.
"I don't let anyone touch the plate," Longstreet said.
Drama in extra innings is nothing new to the Crusaders, who had to play 15 innings against St. Petersburg earlier this year before winning 1-0.
"I don't know what it is this year but when we go to extra innings, we come together and pick each other up," said Longstreet. "Every time there is a great play it inspires us more."
As for going to extra innings without scoring a run, Longstreet vowed, "We will not do that again."
