EVENSVILLE — Fourth-ranked Walker Valley held off a determined Rhea County softball team to earn the top spot at the upcoming District 5-4A Tournament.
After run-ruling the Lady Eagles 13-3 in their first meeting, the Feisty Fillies pulled out a hard-fought 3-2 win Wednesday, in Evensville.
Rhea County jumped on top quickly when senior Lakyn Lockhart opened the bottom of the first with a triple and later came home on a passed ball.
After being shutout in its first two tries, Walker Valley broke through the take the lead with a pair of scores in the top of the third.
Three straight walks to freshman Nessa Byers, USC-Upstate signee Alyssa Davenport and UTEP signee Ryann Presswood set the stage, with the first two scoring on a pair of Rhea errors on a fielder's choice ground ball by sophomore Morgan Rice.
The Feisty Fillies tacked on what turned out to the game-winning run when junior Brylee Davis and Bryan signee Karly Blackwell opened the fourth frame with back-to-back singles before consecutive base on balls to senior Amy Benson and Byers.
Rhea County matched it the run in the bottom of the inning, but that would be the contest's final score.
Walker Valley ace Presswood went the distance in the circle striking out 11, walking two and scattering five hits.
Rhea senior starter Allie Shaver toed the rubber for six innings, giving up just five hits, but walking seven.
Sophomore Carleigh Ashley came for the seventh and gave up a pair of hits, but no runs.
Rive and Benson both knocked a pair of singles, while Byers drew a trio of "freebies." Junior Autumn Lanclos also reached twice with a one- base knock and a walk.
Leaving a trio stranded, the Lady Eagles got hits from Lockhart, freshmen Ella Wilkey and Landree Brown, plus juniors Brook Tallent and Neylee Poole.
Walker Valley left a dozen "ducks on the pond" in the contest.
GAME SUMMARY
District 5-4A
Wednesday, April 23
at Evensville
Walker Valley 002 100 0 — 3 7 0
Rhea County 100 100 0 — 2 5 1
Presswood and Rice; Shaver, Ashley (7) and Wilkey. RECORDS: No. 4 (4A) Walker Valley 25-8, 5-1 District 5-4A; Rhea County 9-11, 1-5 District 5-4A.