Lookout Valley pitcher Jennifer Carden makes a pitch. Click to enlarge all our photos
photo by Greg Davick
The Lookout Valley Yellow Jacket softball team is enjoying a perfect district record this year adding another one Thursday night against CCS 5-1. The Yellow Jackets move to 7-0 in the district with a game at Sale Creek Friday.
"It took us a little while to get going today," Lookout Valley head coach Pat Conard said after raking the field at Lookout Valley Elementary. "They shifted to the left on us in the first couple of innings so we had to adjust a little."
The adjustments showed up in the fifth inning leading by only one run. Lookout Valley scored four runs to take a 5-0 lead.
The inning began with a Heather Wilson triple that went over the head of the CCS right fielder. Wilson scored on a single by Jennifer Carden. Amber Hammonds scored on an error and Lookout Valley scored one with a bases loaded walk. Emily Jones closed out the scoring with a two-run double.
Sophomore Jennifer Carden got the win for the Lady Yellow Jackets allowing three hits and striking out 11.
Carden's pitching, which features an .85 ERA, has made a difference in the resurgence of Lookout Valley softball.
Lookout Valley made several trips to the state tournament in the early 90's finishing second three times.
In the last six years, Lookout Valley has only made it to the region tournament once finishing district 6-A runner up in 2000.
"When you lose your pitching, you lose your dominance," Conard said. "We still only have two seniors but Carden is pitching really well for us. It is nice to get back to winning."
The team is enjoying the winning but Conard still has work to do convincing the girls they have the potential to make a postseason run.
"We tend to sit back some with great pitching. We have to work on that mentally."
Sale Creek is the second seed at this point with a matchup with Lookout Valley on Friday.
Sale Creek will be hosting the district tournament which will begin next Friday.
CCS shortstop Laura Spalding smacks the ball.
photo by Greg Davick