In state-ranked battle for the District 5-4A Softball Championship, fifth-ranked Walker Valley dropped No. 25 Cleveland to claim the crown.
After a 4-2 outcome Monday, the Feisty Fillies captured the title with a 5-2 tally Tuesday.
"I just could not be more proud of the heart, fight, and love this team has for the game and each other," proclaimed veteran Walker Valley head coach Lauren Limburg.
"It was a total team effort — from pitching to catching to defense to offense to the dugout.
They executed the game plan extremely well,. Every single player contributed. "
Cleveland advanced to the title tilt with a 10-0 shutout of Rhea County earlier in the evening. Both teams advance to the Region 3-4A Tournament on Monday at Larry Haney Field.
With the vast majority of its starters back from last year's TSSAA State semifinal run, Walker Valley (29-8) will take on the District 6-4AA runner up (either East Hamilton, Ooltewah or Bradley Central) in the semifinals, while Cleveland (17-14) will tangle with the champs. The region title game will be held on May 14.
FEISTY FILLIES 5, LADY RAIDERS 2: Walker Valley wasted no time in getting the scoring started in the title tilt, putting up a run in its opening at bat and then two more in the second and another in the third. A final score for good measure crossed the plate in the bottom of the fifth.
Cleveland's runs came on a two-run blast out over the McMinn County fence by senior Allison Farnsworth in the top of the third. The "jack" brought in junior Landri Nelson, who had reached on one of her two hits in the contest.
Feisty Fillies leadoff batter Karly Blackwell, who is headed to play at Bryan College, also "went yard" while going 2-for-2, plus drawing a pair of base on balls, plating a couple of scores as well.
Madison Thomas also had a big game, with 3-of-4 hits, including a couple of two-baggers and scoring three times.
Brylee Davis ripped a triple and "walked the line" plating a teammate and completing the circuit once herself. while junior Autumn Lanclos had a RBI-hit and a base on balls.
Senior Amy Benson helped out with a run-scoring single, with freshman Nessa Byers adding a hit and a free pass.
UTEP signee Ryann "Boogs" Presswood improved to 27-6 in the circle on the season, striking out four and not issuing a free pass.
Cleveland did manage nine hits off the Valley ace, with Klaire Hall and Nelson stroking a pair apiece, while Lilly Mason, Sophie Greene and Brylie Cisco each had a one-base knock.
LADY RAIDERS 10, LADY EAGLES 0: A 15-hit offensive attack, plus a three-hit shutout by freshman hurler Huntlee Dennison sent Cleveland to the district title tilt for the second straight season.
"Huntlee pitched really well, we played good defense, and hit through the line up like I asked them to," related Coach Shurette.
Putting a run on the scoreboard in their first and final at bats, the Lady Raiders exploded for an 8-spot in the second frame.
Nelson and Farnsworth led the explosive offense, each going 3-for-4, driving in a pair of teammates and scoring once.
Dennison helped her own cause with a pair of hits and "taking one for the team" to plate a score and completed the circle once from the No. 9 hole.
Columbia State signee Aspen Tipton-Williams and freshman Ariyah Huffman both went 2-for-3 with a "ribbie" and a run scored.
Cisco got on three times with a hit, a walk and reaching on an error, circled the bases each time, plus she plated a teammate.
Hall stroked the game's lone extra base hit with a double, plus she came around to score, while Mason knocked a run-scoring hit, while Greene drew a free pass, drove in a run and scored once.
Aubrey Reece had a hit and drew a walk for Rhea County (12-13), while Lakyn Lockhart and Brook Tallent both had one-base knocks, while Presley Bradshaw drew a free pass.
GAME SUMMARIES
District 5-4A
SB Tournament
Championship Game
Tuesday, May 5
at Athens
Cleveland 002 000 0 — 2 9 1
Walker Valley 121 010 x — 5 9 1
WP: Ryann Preswood 7 IP, 4 Ks, 0 BB, 9 hit, 2 ER. LP: Huntlee Dennison 3.1 IP, 0 Ks, 3 BB, 1 HBP, 8 hits, 4 ER. HR: Allison Farnsworth (C); Karly Blackwell (WV). 3B: Brylee Davis (WV). 2B: Madison Thomas 2 (WV). RBI: Farnsworth 2 (C); Blackwell 2, Amy Benson, Davis, Autumn Lanclos (WV). LADY RAIDER HIGHLIGHTS: Klaire Hall 2-3; Landri Nelson 2-4, RS; Farnsworth 1-3, HR, 2 RBI; Lilly Mason 1-3; Sophie Greene 1-3; Brylie Cisco 1-4. HERD HIGHLIGHTS: Blackwell 2-2, 2 BB, HR, 2 RBI, RS; Davis 1-2, BB, 3B, RBI, RS; Lanclos 1-2, BB, RBI; Nessa Byers 1-2, BB; Alyssa Davenport BB, HBP, SB. RECORDS: Cleveland 17-14; Walker Valley 29-8.
Loser's bracket final
Tuesday, May 5
Rhea County 000 00 — 0 3 3
Cleveland 180 01 — 10 15 1
WP: Huntlee Dennison 5 IP, 0 Ks, 2 BB, 3 hits, 0 ER. LP: Allie Shaver 4.1 IP, 1 K, 2 BB, 15 hits, 7 ER. 2B: Klaire Hall (C). RBI: Rhea none; Landri Nelson 2, Allison Farnsworth 2, Brylee Cisco, Ariyah Huffman, Lilly Mason, Aspen Tipton-Williams, Sophie Greene, Dennison (C). LADY RAIDER HIGHLIGHTS: Nelson 3-4, 2 RBI, RS; Farnsworth 3-4, 2 RBI, RS; Dennison 2-2, RBI, RS; Tipton-Williams 2-3, RBI, RS; Huffman 2-3, RBI, RS; Cisco 1-3, BB, RBI, 3 RS; Mason 1-3, RBI; Klaire Hall 1-2, 2B, RS; Mason 1-3, RBI; Greene BB, RBI, RS. RECORDS: Rhea County 12-13; Cleveland 17-13.