Gary Corsair • Clay County Progress Hayesville third baseman Gracelynn Anderson scoops up a hot grounder against Cherokee.
By Gary Corsair
Sports Writer
The youngest softball team in the Smoky Mountain Conference looked like the most improved Tuesday at Hayesville.
The Lady Yellow Jackets hit the ball hard, played errorless defense and overcame a 2-0 deficit to go up 4-2 with a big third inning, but fell 10-4 after the powerful Bulldogs, 6-3 conference, 9-5 overall, put the game away with a six-run fourth.
The impressive showing by Hayesville was the seventh straight loss for the Lady Jackets, but it sure felt like a victory. Coach Marissa Peck couldn’t help smiling after seven players combined for eight hits and only struck out three times.
“We made some adjustments in the box that we haven’t been making and we’re starting to make some contact. That’s what I keep telling them, ‘Make the defense earn the out, don’t just give it to them at the plate.’ I think we gave them a good game today,” Peck said.
Hayesville not only gave Murphy a good game, the Lady Jackets gave the visitors a bonafide scare.
Hayesville fell behind 2-0 in the first but promptly cut the lead in half in the bottom of the frame when Lila “Rockin’” Roberts singled, stole second and scored on an overthrow. Roberts led Hayesville with two hits and three putouts.
The fourth inning was even more satisfying. “Fearless” Faith Odell lit the fuse with a solid single to right center, Gracelynn Anderson moved her along on a fielder’s choice and Addie Bunch, Bryleigh Krieger and Daylyn Murray rapped consecutive singles to put Hayesville up 4-2 and prompt a Murphy pitching change. The next batter, Morgan Crawford, also gave the ball a ride, but a catch in center field ended Hayesville’s most impressive rally of the month.
The Lady Jackets continued to make contact, but Murphy took a commanding lead with its big fourth inning.
“We gave them a good game today,” Peck said. “Take away one bad inning and it’s a deadlocked game.”
Trailing 9-4, Hayesville looked to close the gap in the fifth when Anderson reached on a walk, Krieger lofted a high fly to center and Murray followed with a red-hot grounder to right field that would have been a certain single if the ball didn’t strike Anderson’s heel. The unusual out ended the mini rally.
Still, Hayesville fought to the bitter end. Bunch, who pitched on guts and guile despite being under the weather, was one of the most prominent fighters. Ditto for Odell, who threw out a base-runner at a critical juncture of the game. Kudos also to Macie Wagner, who pitched superbly in relief. Crawford had a nice catch in the outfield.
Hayesville’s impressive showing bodes well for Friday’s rematch at Murphy.
“We’re ready to win one,” Peck said.
Cherokee 12, Hayesville 0
The strong showing against Murphy came after one of Hayesville’s worst games, a lopsided loss to Cherokee last week.
“It was a frustrating game. We just had no offense that game and we made more fielding errors than we’ve made in an entire game. It was routine plays, fly balls and things like that that people typically don’t miss,” said Peck.
The Braves scored in every inning and Hayesville never threatened. The offense did, however, produce six hits. Roberts and Raylyn Taylor led the Lady Jackets with two hits apiece.