Game ended in tie
(L-R): Laura Halpin, Payton Anderson, and Abbie Cline take a picture before the game.
The Gillespie Miner softball team had three girls take part in an inaugural St. Louis Premier League Softball junior Olympic all-star game. Catcher/infielder Payton Anderson, catcher Abbie Cline, and pitcher Laura Halpin were all looking forward to the Wednesday evening game.
The game was played at the Billiken Sports Center on the campus of Saint Louis University at 8:45 in the evening on Wednesday, July 11. It was a late evening, but well worth it as the Illinois vs. Missouri ASA all-star game drew a huge crowd.
All three girls were seniors during the 2012 season and will be venturing off to college shortly. Payton Anderson will be attending Missouri Baptist University on a softball scholarship while Abbie Cline will be attending Austin Peay on a softball ride as well. Laura Halpin will be attending Maryville University to study physical therapy.
The trio said it was an honor to be asked to play and all three were excited when they found out about it. Abbie Cline caught for the Illinois side for 5 innings and batted 1 for 3 with a single. Anderson caught for 2 innings and also batted 1 for 3 with a one bagger. Halpin did not get a chance to bat, but pitched for 2 1/3 innings and struck out 2, walked 3, and allowed one earned run.
Team Missouri sent eight batters to the plate in the bottom of the sixth against Halpin and plated three runs, one earned, to tie the game at 3. Both teams then put up a goose egg in the seventh and had to settle for a 3-3 tie at the Billiken Sports Center.
It definitely was not the outcome either side wanted.