Walker Valley scored all the runs it would need in the bottom of the first inning and added one more for good measure in the fifth as the Lady Mustangs closed out their home schedule with a 2-0 win over Chattanooga Christian on Senior Night at Larry Haney Field.
Departing seniors Amy Benson, Karly Blackwell, Alyssa Davenport, Ryann “Boogs” Presswood and Addyson Trew were all honored in a post-game celebration after the victory.
The win was the 26th for the Lady Mustangs against eight losses while the Lady Chargers dropped to 15-9.
“I'm so happy for these seniors.
They have left a great legacy and I'm really proud of them,” Lady Mustangs head wrangler Lauren Limburg said battling emotions. “They are great kids on and off the field and Walker Valley softball is better because of them.”
Presswood's final appearance as a Lady Mustang at Larry Haney Field was a battle with CCS's Hannah Smith from beginning to end with both pitchers giving up just three hits apiece. Smith gave up a pair of bases on balls while Presswood allowed no free runners. Presswood piled up a dozen strikeouts while Smith sat down just two Lady Mustangs. Both hurlers faced 23 batters.
“That's a great team we played. I was really proud of our girls for continuing to fight throughout the game. Boogs pitched a great game and our defense backed her up,” praised Limburg.
Blackwell opened the bottom of the first inning with a walk and hustled to second on a wild pitch. Walker Valley's first hit of the day, an RBI single to right field off the bat of Davenport plated Blackwell.
It would be four innings before the next run crossed the plate.
A lead-off single off the bat of Madison Thomas followed by a sacrifice bunt courtesy of Autumn Lanclos set Thomas up in scoring position. She stood o third after a Charger error. A sac fly off the bat of Blackwell made it 2-0.
The Chargers picked up a pair of hits in the final innings, but a sterling Morgan Rice to shortstop Benson on a steal attempt was good for the third out in the top of the sixth. CCS stayed alive with a two-out double in the seventh only to leave the runner stranded as a final “K” by Presswood ended the day.”
The No. 1-seeded Lady Mustangs will travel to Athens Friday to begin District 5-4A tournament play. The opponent and game time will be determined at the district meeting Wednesday.
“Now it's tournament time. Everybody is 0-0,” said Limburg. “We've got to go now and take care of business. It's one game at a time.”
CCS 000 000 0 — 0 3 2
Walker Valley 100 001 x — 2 3 0
WP: Ryann Preswood LP: Hannah Smith 2B: Addi Lewis (CCS) HIGHLIGHTS: Lewis 1-3 (CCS); Karly Blackwell RS RBI, Alyssa Davenport 1-3, Morgn Rice 1-3, Madison Thomas 1-3 RS (WV) RECORDS: CCS 15-9; Walker Valley 26-8.