Fort Scott Community College freshman Emily True scores ahead of Evangel pitcher Anna McKinny's tag after a passed ball in the bottom of the fifth inning of Wednesday afternoon's game at the Betty Ruth Willard Complex. That tied the score at 5-5, which became the official final score when thunderstorms brought a premature end to the game, which was scheduled to be the first of a doubleheader. (Tribune photo/Scott Nuzum)

The last home game of the junior college softball careers of Fort Scott Community College sophomores Sam Ribas and Ashley Harris were played at the Betty Ruth Willard Complex Wednesday afternoon. It ended a couple of hours sooner than they probably wished and it did so without any real decision.

The Greyhounds were to play a doubleheader against the Evangel University junior varsity but thunderstorms during the first game not only caused the second game to be called off but also caused the opener to end a rare tie, 5-5.

Fort Scott Community College sophomore pitcher Ashley Harris is about to strike out Evangel's Shelley Fox during the fifth inning of Wednesday's game. Harris was one of two sophomores playing her final home game. [Click to enlarge]

Because the game went through five complete innings, the result is official and the game does not need to be replayed. All the statistics count and the Greyhounds' record is now 15-21-1.

The second game probably won't be played at all as Fort Scott has only about a week before Region VI Tournament play begins and Evangel's JV slate is too full to allow a reschedule, according to FSCC head coach Lauren Sigwing.

The Greyhounds scored the game's first two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Emily True got on base after she was hit by a pitch. Then Hannah Somers followed with a single that went though the legs of Evangel's left fielder, resulting in two extra bases for each runner. Sam Hays' flair single to right that fell between three fielders allowed Somers to score the second run.

Evangel scored in each of the next three innings to go up 5-2 going into the bottom of the fourth. In FSCC's half of the inning, Ribas cranked what looked like a two-run home run. But the lead runner was called out when Evangel appealed as the home plate umpire ruled that she didn't touch the plate. This meant only Ribas' run counted and instead of a tie game, the 'Hounds still trailed 5-4.

Fort Scott Community College catcher Sam Ribas was one of two sophomores who played her last home game as a Greyhounds Wednesday afternoon. [Click to enlarge]

However, True was hit by a pitch again with one out in the fifth. Somers followed with a double, then a passed ball allowed Hays to score the tying run.

Somers went three for three for the Greyhounds, scoring twice. Hays was two for three.

Lindsay Boham started the game inside the pitching circle for Fort Scott, allowing four earned runs on four hits and three walks with three strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. Harris came into the game and pitched the final 1 1/3 innings perfectly, striking out one.

The 'Hounds went into Tuesday's Jayhawk Conference-Eastern Division doubleheader at Parsons versus Labette on an 11-game winning streak, their longest in a decade. However, the Cardinals pulled off a 6-4, 3-2 sweep.

Friday, FSCC travels to Trenton, Mo., to play North Central Missouri in a doubleheader. There is also a make-up doubleheader scheduled at Crowder College in Neosho, Mo., Tuesday.

NOTES -- Region VI Division II Tournament play will be in Wichita May 3-4. Fort Scott is currently the No. 6 seed in the 13-team field but this could change as other conference teams finish their schedules this week.

Region VI Division II softball is split into three districts. Cowley leads the South District and is currently the No. 1 seed. Johnson County leads the North and is seeded second. Pratt is the leader in the West and currently holds the No. 3 position. Highland is fourth while Hutchinson is fifth....

Evangel JV......... 031 10x x -- 5 4 2

Fort Scott.......... 200 21x x -- 5 6 2

WP -- none. LP -- none.

HR -- Fort Scott: Ribas (4th inn., one on, none out; first runner called out on appeal).

Cancelled due to thunderstorms.