MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - After getting shutout in the TSSAA Softball Class 4A Championship opener the day before, sixth-ranked Walker Valley exploded for a dozen runs in its final three at bats to stay in the hunt for a state title Wednesday.
After rallying from a 6-0 deficit in the bottom of the fourth inning for a 12-6 victory over No. 7-ranked Arlington in the morning, the Feisty Fillies got the first two base runners on against No. 4 Nolensville Friday afternoon before lighting and severe thunderstorms halted the action until 10 Thursday morning.
“What a game!” proclaimed veteran Feisty Fillies wrangler Lauren Limburg.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the fight and love that my team showed.
“It would have been so easy to quit (after the opening shutout) but they didn’t. They showed what I have been telling them throughout postseason…they can’t measure your heart!
“We had several people step up in key situations. I was so proud of Brylie (Davis) for getting those two home runs. She has worked incredibly hard,”the Walker Valley mentor stated.
“Also, a HUGE thank you to our fans. Our boys soccer team came and truly cheered us to victory. Also, the former Lady Mustangs and their parents that have come and supported us. We have had a huge group of faculty, parents, friends, and administration each day. It is incredibly humbling to have so many people cheering us on here and from home.”
Walker Valley (31-8-1) needs to get past the Lady Knights (32-8-2) to advance to the state semifinals and a rematch with Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett (33-11). The Feisty Fillies will have to beat the eighth-ranked Lady Indians and Arizona State signee Julianna Tipton twice to make the state championship game Friday.
In the other end of the bracket, top-ranked Green Hill (41-8-1) got stunned for the second straight day with No. 5 Henry County (27-4-1) sending the defending state champs packing with a 5-0 shutout. The Lady Patriots were taking on Stewarts Creek (29-15) when the bad weather hit, looking for another shot at third-ranked Halls (36-7) in the Final Four.
After a scoreless opening inning, the girls from the Memphis area exploded a half dozen scores in the second frame with a grand slam from Addie Graham and a two-run blast by Breleigh Buckner.
A trio of singles in their first three at bats didn’t amount to a score, but the Walker Valley offense came out of hibernation in the fourth for to cut the deficit in half.
Junior Ryann Presswood opened the at bat with a double before sophomore Brylie Davis “went yard” for the first time on the day. Freshman Morgan Rice and sophomore Autumn Lanclos followed with back-to-back singles before junior Amy Benson brought in Rice with a sac fly.
The Herd was just getting started when fa ull stampede rolled in the bottom of the fifth.
East Tennessee State signee Addison Woodall started a runoff five straight singles with Presswood, Davis, freshman Madison Thomas and Rice following in order, the latter two driving in runs.
After an out, Blackwell singled home a score and Benson doubled in a pair. After Arlington changed pitchers, junior Allyssia Davenport plated two more scores on a single.
Vaulting into a four-run lead wasn’t enough for the hungry Fillies as they posted two more in the bottom of the sixth when Davis opened the action with her second “big fly” of the day.
Blackwell came through with atto-out single to plate the final run.
Davis, Blackwell and Presswood all collected three hits in the game, with Davis driving in three and scoring thrice.
Benson notched a pair of hits and plated a trio of teammates, while Blackwell and Davenport drove in two apiece.
Rice got on base four times with a couple of hits, a walk and was “plunked,” driving in a run and scoring twice.
Despite running into some early trouble, Presswood went the distance in the circle for Walker Valley, striking out four and not giving up a free pass.
Game Summary
TSSAA Class 4A Softball Championships
Arlington 060 000 0 — 6 9 0
Walker Valley 000 372 x — 12 18 0
Layton, Wilkie (5) and Wilkie, Layton (5); Presswood and Oran.
WP: Ryann Presswood. LP: Brittanie Layton. Records: Arlington 31-6; Walker Valley 31-8-1.
(Contact Joe Cannon at joe.cannon@clevelandbanner.com)