Red Bank put together an all-around solid performance to beat Signal Mountain, 10-6, and finally got to lift the District 6AA championship plaque they came so close to winning last season.
“It feels good,” Red Bank head coach Mandi Munn said while holding her teams’ newest trophy. “This senior class has worked hard, especially after last year’s loss, this feels good.”
Coach Munn’s side dominated the early innings and were up 8-0 by the end of the second, but Signal Mountain scored the next six runs. Going into the sixth inning the Eagles were still down 8-6, but they had all the momentum.
That momentum was dramatically snatched back by Red Bank’s Taylor Bono and Bailee Phillips in the bottom of the sixth inning. Bono, the shortstop, and Philips, the pitcher, blasted back to back solo home runs over the exact same fence post in left field.
Both rounded the bases pumping their fists before being swallowed up by their entire teams as they jumped onto home plate. There was still half an inning left to play, but the game felt over.
Three Signal Mountain batters later and it was all over. Red Bank had the championship.
“This team has really hit well all year,” Coach Munn said about what made her team so successful. “And Bailee has put the work in on the mound this year to get better.”
Philips put the work in on Monday night as well. On top of the three hits and two RBIs she picked up while at bat, she also earned eight strikeouts through seven innings on the mound.
Philips was recognized after the game as a member of the 2021 6AA Softball All District Team. Hailey Hanks, Zoe Helms and Lexie Wright also made the All District Team for Red Bank.
Audrey Coterel, Carlee Lowry, Dillia Lowry and Erica Woodward were selected to the All District Team from Signal Mountain.
Philips’ work on the mound allowed Red Bank to jump out to an early lead. She only threw three pitches in the first inning as the top of Signal Mountain’s lineup all popped out.
That was followed by a huge first inning at bat for the Lady Lions. They had seven hits and five RBIs. The Lady Eagles' starter was quickly rotated out and replaced by Erica Woodward, who closed out the game.
The second inning was much like the first. Two strikeouts and a pop-up for Signal Mountain, four hits and three RBIs for Red Bank.
The Lady Eagles began to turn things around with two outs in the top of the third inning. In their second at bat, the top of Signal Mountain’s lineup delivered. They picked up three hits and brought two runners home, making the game 8-2.
A quiet fourth inning went by before the Lady Eagles' bats lit up again in the fifth. Three doubles led to three RBIs. In the bottom of the sixth the Signal added one more run to close the gap, 8-6, and it seemed like they might take the lead in the next inning.
Bono and Philips then put the game away in spectacular fashion for the Red Bank Lions, to cap a wonderful district season. Red Bank and Signal Mountain will both move on to the Region 3AA semifinals.
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN 002 031 0 -- 6 – 12 – 0
RED BANK 530 002 x -- 10 – 19 – 2
King, Woodward and Coterel; Philips and Hanks