Neal Wachob • Clay County Progress Lady Jackets outfielder Daylyn Murray zeroes in on a fly ball against Robbinsville.
By Gary Corsair
Sports Writer
Hayesville looks to break into the win column after being roughed up in a Smoky Mountain Conference doubleheader at Robbinsville on Friday.
The Lady Yellow Jackets were overwhelmed 15-0 and 15-0, which sounds like a disaster until to consider, well, Hayesville was playing Robbinsville. The Lady Knights, 6-0 overall, 2-0 conference, have outscored opponents 68-0. They put the hurting on everyone.
Hayesville managed just one base runner. Kyla Bauer reached first twice, on a walk and a hit by pitch.
“Our defense didn't make routine plays and we didn't hit the ball. Robbinsville's pitcher threw a rise ball/ drop ball combination. We never adjusted to it in the box.” Hayesville Coach Marissa Peck remarked.
So Hayesville, 0-4 overall, 0-2 conference, moves on to this week’s games against Cherokee — at home Tuesday and on the Braves’ diamond Friday. The Lady Braves are 1-1.
The Lady Jackets didn’t manage a hit against Robbinsville’s powerful pitchers and the Clay County girls struggled in the field with seven errors in each game, but Black-and-Gold Peck is seeing signs of improvement from her young team.
“The errors and adjustments in the box must improve. Expecting to see that as we come into playing Cherokee,” Peck remarked.
Sophomore Micalynn McClure heads up Hayesville’s offensive production with a .500 batting average and .571 on base percentage. Lucy Trout leads the defense with a 1.000 fielding percentage.