You may not have heard much about Baylor's Cheyenne Lindsey just yet, but she's the third baseman and the freshman leadoff hitter for the Lady Red Raider softball team. She has an abundance of talent and is already receiving national attention from many big-time Division I schools.
She only had one hit in Monday's contest at Silverdale Baptist Academy, but it was a big one as she saved her best for last, ripping an 0-1 pitch for a two-run triple off the fence in right-center for the game-winning runs in the sixth inning. That big blow with two outs proved to be the difference as Baylor remained unbeaten after three games with the 3-1 non-district victory over the Lady Seahawks.
"That was exciting as I had started off kind of slow, but I was able to get the big hit when we needed it most," the slender ninth-grader said with a smile following Baylor's post-game gathering just at the edge of the right-field grass.
"It felt good when I hit it and thought at first that it might be over (a home run), but I just kept running until coach Smith made me stop at third," she added with a smile.
Lindsey's big hit extended Baylor's lead from one run to three and allowed Lady Raider pitcher Kayla Hughes to pick up her first win of the season after sitting out the first two games while an arm injury completely healed.
Those two runs also gave the Lady Raiders a little breathing room as Silverdale came back to score its only run in the bottom of the sixth.
"I'm really proud of our defense as our middle infield really made some great plays," said Baylor coach Kelli Smith after the game ended.
"Kayla did a good job of keeping the ball low and she allowed the defense a chance to make plays behind her. I was happy to see her pitch a complete game in a tough situation as we weren't sure before the game started that she had enough endurance to go all the way.
"It was a complete team effort and it seems like we've had a different player step up in each game, but Cheyenne has the ability to really be a special player. I was happy to see her get the game-winning hit," Smith added.
"I wish it had turned out different, but we just lost to a really good team and an outstanding program," said Silverdale coach Tim Couch after his team had evened its record at 1-1.
"Give credit to Baylor because they made the plays when they had to make them and they got key hits when they counted most. We had our opportunities and it hurts when you don't take advantage, but we'll get better," Couch added.
Both pitchers went the distance with Hughes getting her first win while Lady Seahawk sophomore Emily Harkleroad was saddled with the loss.
Hughes allowed five hits and one run while striking out four and walking three. On the other side, Harkleroad gave up seven hits and three walks while striking out three.
The Lady Seahawks were also charged with three errors. The first two didn't hurt, but the third one did when Hughes' grounder in the fifth escaped the Silverdale first baseman. Maya Mathis raced around to score from second as Baylor took the 1-0 lead with two outs in the inning.
Silverdale scored its only run in the bottom of the sixth.
Taylor Moran led off with a double off the fence in right-center. She went to third on a groundout by Elise Pearson, but it was an outstanding play by second baseman Mathis that got the first out and saved a potential big inning for the Lady Seahawks.
Maddie Hancock's grounder to first allowed Moran to score. Harkleroad then singled with two outs, but Hughes escaped further damage when she coaxed Sara Million into a grounder to second that forced Harkleroad for the final out of the inning.
Baylor's Lauren Lewis was the only player for either team to have two hits. Mari Gardner, Trinity Liner, Lindsey, Mathis and Hughes all had one apiece for the Lady Raiders.
Ali Birchfield had an infield single in the third while Allison Meadows did the same in the fifth. Million and Harkleroad both had singles while Moran had the only extra-base hit -- the double in the sixth -- for the Lady Seahawks.
Baylor left nine runners stranded -- including at least one in every inning -- while Silverdale left seven.
Baylor won't be in action again until Good Friday in the Soddy Daisy tournament while Silverdale returns to action Tuesday at Grace.
BAYLOR 000 012 0 -- 3 7 0
SILVERDALE 000 001 0 -- 1 5 3
Hughes and Rich; Harkleroad and Hancock.
(email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@comcast.net)