By JOSH EZZELL - March 26, 2007 - 11:33 p.m.

Cat Hosfield is used to making opponents sick, but lately she has been the one not feeling well.

Hosfield, a Riverdale junior pitcher, had a 102 degree temperature Sunday and felt weak entering Monday's game at Oakland. Nevertheless, Hosfield, who didn't eat Sunday, played through the pain as Riverdale (20-2, 3-0 in District 7-AAA) beat Oakland 5-1 at Nelson Smotherman Field.

"It was pretty hard to focus," said Hosfield, a University of Tennessee commitment. "We had to find a way to win. Even though we didn't play 100 percent we found a way to win."

Hosfield (17-1) surrendered only one hit — a first-inning triple by shortstop Tiffany Smith — struck out nine and walked one in the complete-game victory.

"Cat wasn't 100 percent, but she found a way," Riverdale coach Jeff Breeden said.

Riverdale broke a 1-all tie in the third inning by scoring three runs with two outs.

The Lady Warriors took the lead when Oakland second baseman Shelby McCulloch mishandled a throw to first base following a bunt by Riverdale second baseman Jessica Whitens. Left fielder Kelsey Choate, who started the inning with a walk, scored on the play.

First baseman Jessica Ayers followed with a single to right field, scoring shortstop Kelsey Woodruff, who walked. Third baseman Megan Chesney followed Ayers with a single to right field, scoring Whitens.

"All of that with two outs," said Oakland coach Janice Morey, whose squad is 2-7, 0-3. "The tone they set was big. After (the error) they came through with the base hit."

Hosfield gave Riverdale a 1-0 lead in the first inning with an RBI single to center field that scored Choate, who started the game with an infield single. Oakland answered in the bottom of the first when Smith scored on an error by Ayers.

Riverdale added its fifth run in the fourth inning when center fielder Ashia Terry, who tripled to right field, scored on a groundout to second base by Choate, who had a hit, scored twice and added an RBI.
Oakland's Kirsti Brandstetter (2-7) surrendered seven hits while striking out two and walking four.

Riverdale visits Lebanon 7 p.m. Tuesday, while Oakland is at Siegel 7 p.m. Tuesday.