CHARLESTON, Tenn. -- District 5-4A softball got a sneak preview of what the new alignment will look like in 2026 as Walker Valley and East Hamilton lined up to do battle Thursday at Larry Haney Field.
The Lady Hurricanes, currently a Region 3 opponent, will join the Lady Mustangs' district schedule next season and from all appearances a fight for the top spot between the 'Canes and 'Stangs looks to be likely although not a foregone conclusion.
Both teams enjoyed superlative performances out of the circle between Jacksonville State signee Yulai Woodruff (EH) and UTEP commit Ryan “Boogs” Presswood.
It was Presswood coming away with the win this time backed by another outstanding defensive outing by the Feisty Fillies, 5-1.
The senior right-hander held the 'Canes (15-7) to five hits and one run, a home run by her counterpart in the top of the fifth.
The Lady Mustangs (24-6) picked up seven hits off Woodruff, who struck out 10 batters while allowing five walks. Presswood issued a single base on balls and fanned three.
“That was a very good win. I have a lot of respect for (EH coach) Norma (Nelson) and the type of program and team she has. East Hamilton is a tough team. I was really proud of the girls for continuing to fight throughout the game. I thought Our defense was solid and Boogs was hitting her spots,” said Lady Mustangs head coach Lauren Limburg.
Walker Valley touched Woodruff for a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning with Karly Blackwell reaching on a Hurricane's miscue on a ground ball. Blackwell stood on second after Amy Benson's bunt single, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly by Nessa Byers. Benson raced home on an RBI single to center off the bat of Presswood that gave the home team a 2-0 lead.
Woodruff's homer to left in the top of the fifth cut the margin to 2-1.
The Lady Mustangs got the run back in the bottom half of the fifth thanks to a bases loaded walk to Morgan Rice that opened a 3-1 lead.
The Herd added some icing to the Easter cake as Blackwell and Benson reached on back-to-back bunt singles. Byers then added to her RBI total with a double to left-center field that scored both runners.
“We adjusted at the plate. That's one thing we've been talking about about a lot, adjusting after that first at bat, coming around the next time and figuring out how to adjust.,” explained Limburg. “I thought they did a really good job of that and they played calm and focused. It was a great team win against a really good team.”
After finishing up a grueling week of softball, the Lady Mustangs will relax Easter weekend and return to action Monday at home against Silverdale. They will travel to Rhea County for a district matchup Tuesday before returning home Wednesday against Girls Prep.
“This was our fourth game this week, four games in four days. We are going to take the Easter weekend off,” said of her trail worn Herd. “They always give me all they have. I don't have to ask them to, really. They always come out ready to go. They are competitors, they want to win. They care about the team and they did a great job today and I'm really proud of them.”
East Hamilton 000 010 0 — 1 5 1
Walker Valley 002 012 x — 5 7 0
WP: Ryan Presswood LP: Yulai Woodruff HR: Woodruff (EH); 2B Vanessa Byers. HIGHLIGHTS: Sara Farris 2-3, G.O. Kapo 2-3, Woodruff RS RBI (EH); Karly Blackwell RS, Amy Benson 3-4 3RS, Byers 2-2 3 RBI Presswood RBI, Morgan Rice RBI (WV). RECORDS: East Hamilton 15-7; Walker Valley 24-6.