By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

BLOOMFIELD - The Lady Bearcats opened the 2012 SCAA Tournament with a bang, knocking off host Bloomfield in a 16-6 run-rule decision on Monday afternoon.

The Lady 'Cats showed great aggression on the base-paths all game, earning 12 stolen bases and advancing eight times on wild pitches and pass-balls. Taylor Owens plated the game-ending run in the bottom of the fifth on a wild pitch.

Riley Rickman took the start and win for the Lady 'Cats; Rickman fanned eight batters and gave up one hit, but walked 13 in 3 2/3 innings of work. Becky Anderson had four K's and didn't give up a hit in 1 1/3 innings of relief.

"It just looked like Riley was starting to tire a little bit; I thought I'd go ahead and put Becky in there to close it out and get the save," head coach Leonard Morse said of the win. "I was trying to hold Becky out and not overuse her. We have this tournament, and then the Bernie Tournament later this week, but she only had to pitch to four hitters."

The Bearcats struck for eight runs in the bottom of the first inning; Bloomfield plated its first two runs in the top of the second inning on a hit batter and a bases-loaded walk.

Anderson smacked an RBI single into left during the bottom of the second to score Emily Triplett; Cierra Learue followed up with a single of her own to bring home Tiffany Watson to increase the Lady Bearcats' lead to 10-2.

With two outs in the top of the third inning, catcher Kendra Stevenson threw out a Wildcat baserunner attempting to steal second base to end the inning. Stevenson, Rickman, and Triplett all crossed home on pass-balls in the bottom of the third; Anderson picked up her third RBI of the game with a line drive to left field to plate the fourth run of the inning.

The Wildcats exploded for four runs in the top half of the fourth inning; Tabitha Massey connected on Bloomfield's only hit of the game for an RBI single, but the rally stalled when Anderson entered the game and struck out the final batter of the inning.

The Lady 'Cats were retired on three fly-outs in the bottom of the fourth, but Anderson froze all three batters she faced in the top of the fifth with three looking strikeouts.

Owens was walked with one out, and stole second and third on consecutive pitches. A wild pitch to Anderson allowed the sophomore to cross the plate and give the 'Cats a 10 run lead to end the game.

Anderson had an outstanding day at the plate, going 3-3 with two runs scored and three RBI's. Ashley Brown was 2-2 with two runs scored and three RBI's, while Whitney Layton was 2-4 with one run scored and two RBI's.

The Lady Bearcats will be back in action Tuesday afternoon at 5:30, when the take on the #2 Woodland Cardinals. Morse was quick to point out the similarities between his club and the Cardinals.

"We've seen some of the teams that they've played, but haven't heard a lot. Advance has beaten them twice now, after beating them Saturday in the Oak Ridge Tournament," He said. "They have a decent pitcher; I think they'll be a mirror image of ourselves, and I think it will be a really good game."

The Lady 'Cats are riding a four game win streak and stand at 7-5 on the season after the win. Becky Anderson is expected to be on the mound in Tuesday's contest.

Photos Above:
Top: Riley Rickman slides under the tag at home plate after advancing on a pass-ball.
Bottom: Becky Anderson swings for an RBI single in the bottom half of the second inning during Monday afternoon's SCAA Tournament action.