Late Inning Heroics Send Walker Valley Softball To Spring Fling

CHARLESTON, Tenn. -- The post-game celebration noise at Larry Haney Field told the story.

For the second straight year, the Walker Valley Lady Mustangs battled their way through the 4-A district and region tournaments then capped the successful run with a walk-off win in Friday's sectional clash against Oakland.

“What an incredible game. We had a plan and our girls executed it to perfection,” said a happy and emotionally drained Lady Mustangs head coach Lauren Limburg. “Oakland is a great ball team. They came here ready to go. Our girls just believe in each other. They have heart. They have fight. And they wanted it.”

Freshman Nessa Byers stepped up like a seasoned veteran coming through in a huge way for the Feisty Fillies in the bottom of the eighth. Byers ripped a two-out shot to center field driving in the winning run to send the Lady Mustangs back to Murfreesboro.

“For Vanessa to step up in that moment as a freshman and get that hit was an incredible moment,” said a smiling Limburg.

Senior right-hander and University of Texas El Paso signee Ryann “Boogs” Presswood came out on the top end of the eight inning brawl against Oakland's Kyliegh Higgs by the narrowest of margins.

Both fireballers faced off against 27 batters with Presswood giving up five hits to Higgs' six. The Oakland ace walked three batters and struck out six Lady Mustangs. Presswood issued a single free pass and sat down seven Lady Patriots.

“I can't say enough about how well “Boogs” pitched and how our defense rallied behind her,” praised Limburg.

Walker Valley's defense was on full display in the top of the fourth. Center fielder Karly Blackwell fielded a single and fired home to get the first out of the inning nullifying a potential game winning run. Catcher Morgan Rice, who put the tag on the Oakland runner, showed her prowess later in the game picking off another Lady Patriot attempting to steal third.

The Fillies loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth, but an equally tough Oakland defense shut down any hope of a game winning rally.

“I thought the ball Amy (Benson) hit with the bases loaded was going to get down. She had a tough at bat and I thought it was going to get down,” Limburg recalled. “I know they were disappointed it didn't, but that's just the way the game goes. You have to keep fighting. You have to keep believing. That's what we've been telling them all year. They have the heart. They have the fight. They play for each other. And when you play for something bigger than yourself it makes all the difference in the world.”

Benson made up for the lost chance in the eighth reaching on a fielder's choice setting up the Byers heroics. With two outs, the Walker Valley shortstop scored from first when the Byers rip to deep left-center field notched the game winning RBI.

The Lady Mustangs have a few days to rest up before heading to Middle Tennessee to begin the state tournament looking to better their 2024 run to the Final Four. The tournament opens Tuesday at the Murfreesboro Sports Complex.

“We're very excited. We're looking forward to going to state. Last year we finished in the top four,” said the coach. “This senior group is just one of a kind. I really, really wanted it for them and for the entire team. They have given so much to this program. I'm excited to get to experience it again with them.”

 

(Contact Richard Roberts at richardvol55@yahoo.com)