Harvey’s Alexa Bailey hit a milestone when she struck out the final Lakeside batter in the seventh inning of the Red Raiders’ 11-5 win over the Dragons on Friday.
For Bailey, the strikeout was the 100th of her season and helped the Red Raiders inch closer to a conference title.
“Alexa Bailey got us two key conference wins on the mound this week,” said Harvey coach Betsy Hada. “She took on a tough offense tonight. She hit her spots well and her changeup was on fire. She has put in a lot of hard work in the offseason and it is paying off.”
Bailey allowed five earned runs on eight hits and fanned eight in the win.
Harvey jumped on Lakeside early as the Red Raiders scored four runs in the top of the first. The Dragons responded with two in the bottom half of the inning and two more in the second to tie the game at 4-4.
The Red Raiders took it from there as they scored two runs in the fourth inning, three in the sixth, and two more in the seventh.
Rachael Boykin led the Red Raiders at the plate. She was 3-for-4 with a double and three runs batted in.
“Rachael thrives on the big moment,” Hada said. “She wants the bat in her hand and not much intimidates her.”
Bailey, Mira DiPierro, and Lola Thomas each recorded two hits for Harvey. Nya Talley recorded her 20th stolen base of the season in the win.
Lakeside’s Sidney Griffith finished a perfect 3-for-3 with a double and a home run. She also knocked in two runs.
With the win, Harvey improved to 14-7 on the year and inched closer to winning the Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division title.
“Our team is coming together at the right point in the season,” Hada said. “Our girls have bought into the team-first mentality. I am excited to see what the rest of the season has in store for us.”
