Gary Corsair • Clay County Progress Hayesville hurler Mallory Peck delivers against Andrews.
By Gary Corsair
Sports Writer
Hayesville led Andrews early on, but the Wildcats tied the softball game on a couple of ugly runs and pulled ahead on fielding miscues to scuttle the Lady Jackets, 11-6, Thursday.
The Friday brought more frustration, as Robbinsville rolled to lopsided wins in a doubleheader at Hayesville.
The Lady Jackets (1-12 overall, 1-9 Smoky Mountain Conference) matched Andrews’ hit total of 8, but 7 Hayesville errors helped the Wildcats prevail.
Hayesville’s starting pitcher Mallory Peck displayed pin-point control, allowing just two walks and two earned runs in four-and-a-half innings. Andrews tallied nine runs during Peck’s tenure but there was nothing impressive about the way the Wildcats pulled ahead.
“We started out strong with Andrews,” Hayesville Coach Marissa Peck stated. “Errors plagued the defense against the speed that Andrews has at the top of their order.”
Andrews tied the score 3-3 in the third inning on a fielder’s choice and two infield singles — a hot grounder Breanna Patterson fired to first baseman Danielle Anderson, who adroitly stretched to gather the ball for what looked like the second out. Unfortunately, the umpire declared Chanteah Rattler safe. The single that knotted the score was a high infield pop-up none of the Lady Jackets could reach.
The fourth inning was even more frustrating. The first two Andrews batters were sent back to the dugout when left fielder Lillie McClure made a nice running catch and Peck knocked down a lined shot and threw Katie Moses out. Then, more ugly softball. The Wildcats went ahead for good on a three infield singles and a wild pitch.
Andrews padded its 5-3 lead in the fifth inning after Peck again retired the first two batters. Three consecutive infield errors – two of them throwing – followed by an infield single and solid drive up the middle resulted in four runs.
Anderson led Hayesville with three hits and an RBI, while Peck cracked two singles and Micalynn McClure socked a solo home run.
“Offensively, we had some timely hits, but we were not able to close the gap, leaving seven on base,” Coach Peck remarked.
Andrews 012 241 1 = 11
Hayesville 030 010 2 = 6
Hits: Anderson 3 and Bauer.
Home run: M. McClure
RBI: Anderson, Kyla Bauer, L. McClure, M. McClure and Patterson.
Runs: Ka. Bauer, Chastain, L. McClure, M. McClure, Patterson and Peck.
Stolen bases: Anderson, M. McClure and Peck.
Game one
Robbinsville 15, Hayesville 3
Hayesville freshman Micalynn McClure extended her hitting streak to nine games but the Lady Jackets couldn’t overcome Robbinsville’s nine-run first inning.
Hayesville only managed one other hit, but it was a plum. Patterson doubled in two runs in the second inning. She also reached base on a walk, when she was hit by a pitch.
Peck also had an RBI.
Errors were again a factor; only four of Robbinsville’s 15 runs off Micalynn McClure were earned.
Robbinsille 924 0 = 15
Hayesville 021 0 = 3
Hits: M. McClure and Patterson.
RBI: Patterson and Peck.
Runs: Anderson, L. McClure and M. McClure.
Sac: Chastain.
Base on balls: Anderson and L. McClure.
Game two
Robbinsville 12, Hayesville 1
Micalynn McClure pushed her hitting streak to 10 consecutive games by ripping a double, but 10 Robbinsville (14-3 overall, 9-1 conference) batters had hits as the Lady Knights cruised once again.
The Lady Jackets remained within striking distance for most of the game, until the Smoky Mountain Conference leading Lady Knights exploded for eight tallies in the fifth frame.
Hayesville’s only other hits came from Anderson and Peck, who had the team’s only RBI on a knock that scored Micallyn.
Robbinsville 121 080 = 12
Hayesville 001 000 = 1
Hits: M. McClure and Peck.
Doubles: M. McClure.
RBI: Peck.
Runs: M. McClure.
Base on balls: Taylor.