East Hamilton jumped out to a lead and hung on to defeat William Blount Friday afternoon at the Gibbs Invitational in Knoxville at Caswell Parl
The Lady Canes scored their first three runs in the bottom of the first when Reese Knox led off the inning with a bunt single and then stole second. Syerra Rogers slapped a one out line drive single to left that plated Knox. Grace Hixson sent a two out line drive into left, scoring Rogers and then raced home herself on a double to left by Shelbie Sholtz.
Maggie Garland got one run back for William Blount on a second inning home run over the center field fence. East Hamilton added another run in the bottom of that inning when Nicole Wasserstrom singled home her sister Danielle who had reached on an error.
Blount added two runs in the fourth, taking the score to 4-3, before the Lady Canes picked up their fifth and final run in the bottom of that inning.
Henley Apps led off their half of the inning with a single before scoring on a single to left by Knox.
East Hamilton’s Ashlynn Watkins picked up the win in the circle, going four innings and striking out five. Knox led the Lady Canes at the plate with three hits, while Hixson had two.
Coffee Co. 14, East Hamilton 14: With the game tied at seven after four innings, the Lady Raiders exploded for seven runs in the top of the fifth. However, the Lady Canes were not going away quietly. Shelbie Sholtz was placed at second to begin the inning and Henley Apps drew a base on balls. Ashlynn Watkins smacked a sharp single into right field. Scoring Sholtz and advancing the runners to load the bases.
Danielle Wasserstrom singled scoring Apps. Reese Knox followed with a single on a ground ball to left. That sent Watkins home. Nicole Wasserstrom singled next, with her sister Danielle racing home. Syerra Rogers followed with an 0-2 double on a line drive to left, scoring Nicole Wasserstrom and Knox.
Following a swinging strikeout, Rogers stole third and Gracie Hixson singled to drive in Rogers and tie the game at 14. Due to time limit, that’s where the game ended.
Knox went four for four in the batter’s box, as did Rogers. Nicole Wasserstrom and Knox each two hits apiece contributing to East Hamilton’s total of 16 hits.
Walker Valley 7, Union Co. 0: A pair of Lady Mustang pitchers combined for a three hit shutout of Union Co.
Kaitlyn Bailey got the win on her four innings of work, striking out two and allowing one base on balls. Lindsey Hughes had one inning of work in relief out of the bullpen.
Walker Valley scored two in the first and added five runs in the second. Madilyn Kidd and Sierra Brown each had two hits for the Lady Mustangs.
Walker Valley 4, Hardin Valley Academy 2: The Lady Mustangs scored a couple of runs late in the contest to defeat Hardin valley.
Walker Valley hit for two early runs in the first, but Hardin valley added one each in the first and second innings to knot it up at two all. The Lady Mustangs plated a run in the fourth and another in the fifth to seal the win.
Addy Garland took the win in the circle for Walker Valley. Garland went five innings, giving up two runs on eight hits with two strikeouts and one walk.
Michelle Benson had two hits for Walker Valley.
McMinn Co. 5, Tellico Plains 1: Sadie Brazzell was the key factor in the Lady Cherokees win over Tellico Plains. The left-hander went five innings, striking out seven while allowing only one run on three hits.
Carri Wade led the McMinn Co. offense with three hits, while Sammie Greeson and Lexi Cooley had two apiece.
Tellico Plains 5, McMinn Co. 3: In the second game of their double header the Lady Bears turned the table on the Lady Cherokees.
Tellico spotted McMinn two runs in the top of the first before coming back with five of their own the next three innings.
Powell 2, Cleveland 0: The Lady Panthers scored all the runs they would need in the first inning, shutting out Cleveland for the win.
Pitching for Powell, Delayna Bryant went six innings, striking out eleven with one base on balls and scattering five hits.
Keaton Wheeler and Miriam Eachus each had two hits for the Lady Blue Raiders.