BY PETE MOHR | APRIL 6, 2011

“The Gracie Goulder Show” in 7th inning lifts Lady Falcons to 3-2 victory over stubborn Campo Verde

Elyssa Hartsock’s perfect sacrifice bunt sets up winning run; A.J. here, April 7
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brain trustPostgame, Softball’s “Brain Trust” (l-r) Pitching Coach Mike McIver, Head Coach Danica Gianni (a/k/a “Momma G.”) and Assistant Head Coach Bill Ferguson tell the Lady Falcons “a W…is a W…is a W,” after the “Female Flock” needed a by-the-book run in the bottom of the 7th to put away the feisty Campo Verde Lady Coyotes, 3-2, Monday afternoon, April 4. Photo by Pete Mohr

Lady Falcons Field – April 4. In baseball or softball, how many times have you fans seen a great defensive play for the third out send up the playmaker as the leadoff hitter in the following half- inning? At approximately 5:15 p.m., Monday afternoon, April 4, Sonoran News arrived at Lady Falcons Field in time to see Gracie Goulder, from deep short, rocket a perfect throw to 1st baseman Amber Underdown to retire the third Lady Coyote in the top of the 7th, with the score surprisingly deadlocked, 2-2. Kudos to “new school” Campo Verde.

They were playing our LadyBirds more than tough. “Never let an underdog stay close!” right, Coach One? [Her husband, Notre Dame Baseball’s Gaetano “Guy” Gianni is Coach Two.]

So … to lead off the bottom of the 7th, Goulder grounds a solid single to right, then steals second without a throw. Megan Scarpulla walks.

Elyssa Hartsock deadens a perfect bunt, sacrificing the runners to third and second. The Lady Coyotes inexplicably elect not to load the bases, thereby setting up a force at home.
Amber Underdown grounds sharply to the third baseman, who freezes Goulder, then fires to first. As soon as the ball leaves the third baseman’s hand, Goulder breaks for the plate, avoiding the catcher’s tag with a sensational slide to score the game-winning run!

Camille McIver whiffed ten Lady Coyotes to get the win, her second in a row after stopping the Saguaro Lady Sabercats, March 31. Underdown gets Tuesday’s start against visiting McClintock. Catch McIver, Goulder and Friends in action, Thursday, April 7, when they welcome Apache Junction’s Lady Prospectors.