Walker Valley recently won the Pleasure Island Showdown championship in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The Lady Mustangs hit for a team average of .426 and outscored their opponents 58-8.
photo by Contributed, Walker Valley High School
The Walker Valley softball team travelled to Gulf Shores, Ala. last week, prior to schools being closed in the State of Tennessee. The Lady Mustangs played in the Pleasure Island Showdown, sweeping through the competition and winning the tournament.
On Wednesday and Friday, Walker Valley played pool games against Foley (AL), Itawamba Agricultural (MS) and Baker (AL).
Pool play continued on Saturday against Mooreville (MS) before the team jumped into a single elimination tournament.
Once there, the Lady Mustangs dispatched Hunters Lane (TN), 18-0 and New Hope 3-0, before defeating Baker, 5-2, in the championship game.
Head coach Lauren Limbaugh said, "I am so proud of the girls for the way they handled this week both on and off the field. At one point, we were unsure if we would even get to play. They truly just wanted an opportunity to play, and they made the most of every second they had.”
She continued, “ In an unprecedented week of unknowns and adversity, the girls pulled together and played for something bigger than themselves. Each person on our team played a critical and vital role to our success. After losing to Baker in an earlier pool game, the girls played with heart, fight, and fire in the Championship game to come out victorious against the same Baker team.”
Walker Valley outscored their opponents by 58-8, with a team batting average of .426. The Mustangs ran wild on the bases, as well, stealing a total of 30 bases.
Natalie Pruitt led the pitching attack, going 5-1, with a 1.273 ERA, allowing 20 hits, striking out 21. Pruitt gave up only 6 runs (4 earned runs) in 22 innings. Hailey Leslie went1-0 with 1 save and a 1.556 ERA Leslie gave up 6 hits and struck out 10 strikeouts, while allowing 2 runs (2 earned) in 9 innings pitched.
The offense was led by Maddie Davis: 4-5 with a double, three RBI, four runs scored and two stolen bases, while Hailey Leslie went: 7-12 with a double, triple, four RBI, seven runs scored and three stolen bases.
Carissa Frost was 8-17 on the week with a double, two RBI, nine runs scored, and eight stolen bases.
Michele Benson went 8-17 with four RBI, five runs scored and six stolen bases.
Katelyn Howell had a hitter’s week, going 7-16 with two doubles, five RBI, and 11 runs scored with two stolen bases. Laney Harris was 5-16 with a double, Home Run (Grand Slam), four RBI and two stolen bases
Coach Limburg concluded, “We don't know what the rest of the season holds, but I do know that this team is special. They are great teammates who love and care for each other. They are great students and all around great people. In our team meeting, we talked about how all we can do is control what we can control. During this time of uncertainty, it is important to stay positive, have great attitudes, and focus on being the best teammates, friends, daughters, and students we can be. The memories that we have already made this season have been tremendous and will last a lifetime. I am truly honored to be their coach."