CLEVELAND, Tenn. — on a sunny, but very breezy afternoon, walker Valley wrapped up its regular season softball schedule with a convincing 6-1 Senior Night win over East Hamilton Monday at Larry Haney Field.
“One time the wind was blowing in, one time it was blowing out, one time it was blowing right to left. I told the girls they need to swing and get under it and maybe it will get there. It's crazy today, “said Lady Mustangs head coach Lauren Limburg, who normally takes the field in shorts and T-shirt. “It's May 1st and this is the first time I've had on pants and a sweatshirt in a month.”
The Lady Mustangs (23-9) gave up a single run to the Lady Hurricanes (20-7) in the top of the first inning on a lead-off bunt single by Reese Knox and an RBI single off the bat of Grace Hixson.
From there winning pitcher, freshman Brylie Davis, and usual starter sophomore Ryann Presswood —coming on as a reliever in the fifth — shut down the East Hamilton hitting attack to secure the win. The duo held the Lady 'Canes to just five hits on the afternoon.
Yulai Woodroof was charged with the loss for East Hamilton giving up six runs on six hits while striking out five batters.
“I can't say enough. I thought Brylie and “Boogs” pitched really well and our defense was solid as always,” said Limburg just before Senior Night ceremonies. “And we had really good at bats against some tough pitching. We were able to take advantage of when we had runners on base.”
The Lady Mustangs celebrated the contributions of seniors Makayla Elmore and Kiarra Nicholes, who played their final game on Larry Haney Field.
“I just want to say a huge shoutout to our two seniors, Makayla and Kiarra,” praised Limburg. “They have poured everything they have into this program. We would not be who we are today without them. It's a great to send them out with a win.”
The Feisty Fillies took the lead for good in the bottom half of the third inning beginning with a two out Karly Blackwell single in front of another safety by Alyssa Davenport. Amy Benson loaded the bases reaching on a Lady Hurricane error. A walk to Addison Woodall brought Blackwell home making it a 2-1 game. Davenport made it 3-2 racing home on a passed ball. Benson gave the Lady Mustangs a 3-1 lead scoring on a Nicholes infield slow roller to third base.
Walker Valley capped the scoring in the fifth inning as Davenport opened with a shot off the glove of the East Hamilton third baseman. Benson followed with a hit to left field. The Lady Hurricanes got a pair of fly balls for two outs before walking the bases loaded. Davis helped her own cause with a two RBI single down the right-field line that put Nicholes on third. Nicholes rushed home for the final run of the game when Davis slid under the throw to second on a steal to make it 6-1.
Presswood, who came on in the fifth, gave up just two hits in the final two innings to seal the win.
The Lady Hurricanes squandered a golden opportunity in the top of the fifth loading the bases with just one out and Limburg decided to make the change to Presswood. Seconds later, Presswood got a line drive to Davenport at third, who stepped on the bag catching the East Hamilton runner trying to get back for the inning ending double play.
The Lady Hurricanes stranded a pair of runners in the top of the seventh as fly balls to left field and third base closed out the winfor the Lady Mustangs.
The Lady Mustangs will close out the District 5-4A schedule Wednesday in a make-up game in Athens against McMinn County then will head into district tournament play as the No. 1-seed Saturday at Bradley Central.
“I thought our defense stepped up and we made pitches we needed to make, for the most part, to hold them off. They're a good team,” said Limburg. “I'm really proud of the girls tonight.”
East Hamilton 100 000 0 — 1 5 1
Walker Valley 003 030 x — 6 7 1
WP: Brylie Davis LP: Yulai Woodroof 2B: Alyssa Davenport (WV); HIGHLIGHTS: Reese Knox RS, Grace Hixson RBI, Madilyn Evans 1-2 (EH); Karly Blackwell RS, Davenport 4-4 2RS, Amy Benson 2RS, Addison Woodall RBI, Kiarra Nicholes RS RBI, Davis 2RBI. RECORDS: East Hamilton 20-7; Walker Valley 23-9.