CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Lilly O'Bryan was zeroed in out of the circle and the Lady Raiders' offense backed up the right-hander's effort as O'Bryan led Cleveland to a run-rule win over East Hamilton at home Thursday.
O'Bryan went the distance in her second career no-hitter striking out five Lady Hurricanes while giving up a single walk. The Cleveland senior recorded her 250th K in the 8-0 victory in the fifth inning.
The game was not without a bit of controversy, however, as a call on a steal by East Hamilton (6-70 went against popular opinion.
“I felt Lily threw a great game,” said Cleveland head coach KJ Harris. “I think Lilly “Smalls” Mason had that girl in the first inning, but she's been throwing lights out. I'll take it on the defensive side, we can fix the swings.”
The Lady Raiders (16-11) came out hot early pasting a four spot on the board in the bottom of the second inning.
Mason opened with lead-off walk and stood on third on a double to left-center field off the bat of Alexis Folts. Both runners touched home when Emily Patterson ripped another double to left. Landri Nelson's single to center scored Jamaya Hill, who walked to first after taking one for the team. Reagan Campbell reached on an East Hamilton error and made it a 4-0 game scoring on a fielder's choice.
“It was a great game. I like that we came out hot and really set the tone especially being back at home,” said Harris. “We've had a good string of games away and some very tough games. We were at Gibbs last weekend so we've seen some good competition, but it feels good to be back at home.
The Lady Raiders tcked on two more runs in the bottom of the third when O'Bryan smacked a 2-RBI single to center that scored Patterson and Hill.
Cleveland put the game away in the fifth when Patterson reached on an error and stood on third on a passed ball. Patterson raced home on a ground ball to third. Campbell reached on another East Hamilton miscue and later scored on a walk-off RBI single off the bat of Nelson.
“I would have liked to have seen some quicker adjustments late in the game putting a full game together. But, I felt like defensively we did some things I've been waiting to see, outfielders dropping well to the ball,” said Harris.
The Lady Raiders will begin the stretch run to close out their district schedule Friday against McMinn County.
“We close out district on Tuesday with Walker and Rhea on Wednesday. We've got Mcminn tomorrow,” said the coach. “It's weird with a four team district, so we're looking to close it out. I think we're in a good spot and I'm glad we're going to be closing it out at home.”
East Hamilton 000 00 — 0 0 4
Cleveland 042 02 — 8 8 3
WP: Lily O'Bryan LP: Kailyn Mendoza 2B: Alexis Folts, Emily Patterson (C). HIGHLIGHTS: O'Bryan 2-4 2RBI, Landri Nelson 2-4 2RBI, Lilly Mason 1-2 RS, Alexis Folts 1-3 RS, Patterson 2-3 2RS 2RBI, Jamaya Hill 2RS RBI, Reagan Campbell 2RS. Records: East Hamilton 6-7, Cleveland 16-11.
(Email Richard Roberts at richardvol55@yahoo.com)