Boyd wins big in home finale
Celebration was in order at Boyd Christian Tuesday afternoon, as the Lady Broncos picked up their sixth win of the year with a 7-4 Senior Day victory over Mt. Juliet Christian.
Amber Hodge worked from the mound for the Lady Broncos, giving up one hit and a walk in the first inning. The Lady Saints left two runners stranded as Boyd’s defense got them out of the inning. Amber Hodge reached on an error by the Lady Saints’ third baseman, but Boyd’s next two batters went down swinging to end the inning.
Mt. Juliet put one run on the board in the top of the second after their lead-off batter grounded out to second. A walk, base hit and a error by the Lady Broncos loaded the bases with two outs. A wild pitch scored the runner from third, but the Lady Broncos defense held its ground and got out of the inning with out any further damage.
Boyd had their chance to tie the game in the bottom of the inning when Scarlette Hodge led off with a single up the middle. A wild pitch and a hit by Grace Barnes put runners on the corner with one out. Mt. Juliet got he next two batters to pop out to end the inning.
In the bottom of the third Boyd’s bats exploded, as they sent 11 batters to the plate. Kati Sutton reached on an infield hit to lead off the inning. Sutton stole second and Megan Hamblen sacrificed the runner to third. A wild pitch scored Sutton to tie the game at 1-1. Amber Hodge singled to left, Mary Reynolds singled up the middle, Scarlette Hodge singled to score one and move Reynolds to third.
Reynolds scored on a wild pitch, Tenera Jones reached on an error, Alicia Driver singled to score Jones and Kris Surles walked. Sutton batted and doubled to score Barnes and Driver and give Boyd a 6-1 lead before the Lady Saints could get out of the inning.
The Lady Saints added one run in the top of the fourth after two singles and a walk loaded the bases for Mt. Juliet with two outs. Hodge walked in the Lady Saints’ second run of the day.
With the bases still loaded, a line drive was hit to second and a diving Reynolds caught the ball for the third out. In Boyd’s half of the fourth, Amber Hodge tripled and a fielders choice by Reynolds scored Hodge as the inning ended with Boyd leading 7-2.
In the fifth the Lady Saints put their lead off batter on with a bunt and a throwing error moved her third. A strike out and a walk put runners on the corners. The Lady Saints tried to manufacture some offense by stealing home but the runner was tagged out and Hodge struck out the next batter to end the inning. Boyd produced one hit in the bottom of the fifth by Sutton but she was left on base.
In the top of the sixth, Mt. Juliet’s lead off batter reached with a single up the middle and another single by the Lady Saints put runners in scoring position. With one out a double to left scored two runs. But defense by Boyd and solid pitching by Hodge ended the Saints rally.
In the seventh a lead off walk put a little hope in the Lady Saints but Boyd’s defense played solid in the final frame and Hodge added a strikeout to end the game for the win.