WCMS softball rallies to victory
With much improvement over their last five games, the Warren County Middle School softball team had high hopes of knocking off undefeated Avery Trace. The Lady Pioneers did just that, with a 3-2 five-inning win at the WCHS softball field Friday.
With bad weather moving into the area, Avery Trace went right to work and showed why they came in undefeated, scoring two runs in the first inning. Lady Pioneer pitcher Ashley McBee gave up two hits and an error by Warren County’s defense gave Avery Trace a 2-0 lead, with two outs before McBee struck out the next batter to get out of the inning. The Lady Pioneers made contact in the first inning but Avery’s defense sent Warren County down in order.
In the second McBee settled down and produced two ground balls as her defense held strong. Avery Trace picked up one hit with two outs but a grounder back to McBee ended the inning for Avery Trace.
As the wind picked up, so did the Lady Pioneers bats. Casi Rogers led off the inning with a single up the middle to get things started for Warren County. McBee then hit a shot down the right field line to score Rogers as McBee found herself on third. Kallie Haley kept the hot bats going with a single to right-center as McBee scored to tie the game at 2-2. With one out Ashlee Malone singled and scored Haley to give the Lady Pioneers the lead at 3-2 before Avery Trace could get out of the inning.
Avery Trace went down 1-2-3 in the top of the third as did Warren County in their half of the inning. Defense by the Lady Pioneers played a big role in the top of the fourth. Two big plays by outfielders Taylor Nunley and Cassie Wanamaker left two runners stranded by Avery Trace to keep the score at 3-2. Warren County picked up one hit as McBee singled to left, but she was left stranded.
In the top of the fifth, Avery Trace put their leadoff batter on after she was hit by a pitch and then was gunned out trying to steal second by Rogers. McBee walked one and then recorded a strike out and produced a grounder to short to give Warren County the victory.
“This was a very good team we played today. McBee gave up a couple of early hits but she settled down and did an excellent job. We played defense today as well as we have played all year. The girls new Avery Trace was undefeated and came out here and played a solid game. They did a good job at the plate against a real good pitcher. We had three big hits back to back and that was the difference in the game. Everybody on this team has improved so much and I’m very proud of each and every one of them,” said coach Franklin Fisher.
The middle school team is scheduled to play in a tournament this weekend in Lebanon.