WALKER VALLEY PITCHER Alicia Raymond makes the catch on a fly ball as first baseman Mackenzie Elrod backs up the play during Tuesday softball action against Rhea County at Larry Haney Field. Banner photo, LYNNAE ROBERTS
The Lady Mustangs cranked out 10 hits including two home runs in a 6-2 District 5-AAA win over the Lady Eagles.
“I thought they played a great overall game. I thought our pitching and defense were solid as well as our catching. Our hitting was solid and that was really good to see. Some of the girls that have kind of been struggling a bit at the plate really came through,” said Walker Valley coach Lauren Limburg. “I was really proud of them, It was a team effort. I was happy to see them succeed and play a good ballgame.”
Walker Valley jumped on Rhea for a run in the bottom of the first thanks to a walk, Baylee Boen single and an error. The Lady Mustangs tacked on three more in the third after Leslie Still led off with a double to left field. Allie Morrow was hit by a pitch, putting two runners on for Rachel Percy who blasted a high drive over the left-center field fence to make it 4-0.
The Lady Mustangs added two more runs in their next at bat. Mackenzie Elrod singled and scored when Still stepped in the batter’s box and homered to left to give Walker Valley a 6-0 lead.
“We got two huge home runs. I was just so proud to see those girls come through in those situations. They have been working a ton on their hitting and it paid off. Rachel and Leslie have been working on their hitting and I am super proud of them,” said Limburg.
Sidney Hooper got the win for Walker Valley. Hooper gave up two hits, struck out 10 Lady Eagles and walked one before being relieved by Alicia Raymond who came on to start the sixth.
The Lady Eagles avoided a shutout with two runs off two hits in the sixth to make the final score 6-2.
“It wasn’t just the home runs. It was the singles, doubles and getting people on base. It was just an all-around team effort and their first district win,” Limburg said of the victory.
LADY MUSTANGS 6, LADY EAGLES 2
Rhea County 000 002 0 — 2 4 2
Walker Valley 103 200 x — 6 10 2
WP: Sidney Hooper. LP: Shelby. HR: Rachel Percy, Leslie Still (WV). 2B: Still (WV). Highlights: Still 2-3, Hallie Davis 2-4, Mackenzie Elrod 2-4.
