FORT GIBSON — Julia Hill had quite a day for Fort Gibson’s fastpitch softball team on Tuesday.

The center fielder threw out a baserunner at the plate in the fifth inning and doubled home Alexis Allen for the game-winning run to lift the Lady Tigers to a 1-0 victory in eight innings against the Stilwell Lady Indians.

Hill’s performance boosted the strong pitching of starter Caitlyn Craig, who struck out six batters and gave up just one hit — a second-inning single — to improve to 10-6 for the season. The Lady Tigers are now 11-6.

Hill, playing in center field for Kirby Parnell, threw out Lauren Latta at home as she tried to score from second base. Fort Gibson catcher Bailey Gauntt applied the tag to end the inning.

“I was worried about the ball being too wet,” Hill said, referring to a drizzling rain that hit the field before the game. “I was really glad it worked out. I just tried to throw it as well as I could.”

Craig was impressed with Hill’s defense.

“Julia has a good arm,” Craig said. “She usually plays either left or right field. I thought our defense played pretty well. Our bats are lagging a little bit right now, but they’re going to pick up.”

Stilwell coach Steve Cochran called it the game’s biggest defensive play.

“(Latta) hesitated a little bit,” he said. “If she had taken off on the swing, I think she would’ve made it.  It was a tough game. Fort Gibson’s always tough to beat here.”

With no outs in the eighth, Hill doubled in the decisive run after Allen led off with a single. It was one of her three hits, including two doubles, in the game. HIll credited extra work for her success at the plate.

“I haven’t been great at batting. I’ve been spending time in the batting cage and getting in as many swings as I can,” Hill said. “Coach (James) Parnell has been helping me a lot, too. It was a good game for us. I’m really pleased.”

Parnell was pleased with Hill’s day on a team that has struggled at times offensively.

“Julia’s done a great job. She’s on fire,” he said. “If you hit the ball, we have to find a spot for you. That was a shot (for the game-winning hit). I knew (the Stilwell outfielder) wasn’t going to get to that one.”

Craig, Fort Gibson’s No. 2 pitcher last year behind Taylor Mills, won for the third time in as many outings against Stilwell the past two seasons. She walked two.

“I usually look at the way a batter stands before I pitch,” Craig said. “I’m not a strategic person before a game. I pitch to a batter how I feel. I call my own pitches and I’m comfortable with that.”

Fort Gibson plays at Oktaha at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.