Gary Corsair • Clay County Progress Hayesville's Raylyn Taylor, No. 11, begins a head-first slide as she attempts to score in the fifth inning against Smoky Mountain. Unfortunately, Taylor was tagged out on an inning-ending double play.
By Gary Corsair
Sports Writer
Hayesville’s young and inexperienced Lady Yellow Jackets competed like seasoned veterans in their last two games — a convincing triumph over Andrews followed by a sweet comeback that turned sour in Sylva.
Hayesville (1-2) showed considerable moxie against Smoky Mountain on Monday, rallying from a 2-0 deficit to pull within one run in the fourth inning, tying the score 2-all in the fifth and zooming ahead 6-2 with a big sixth.
Unfortunately, high school softball games last seven innings.
Smoky Mountain (2-7) took advantage of two walks and an error to trim the seemingly safe lead to 6-5 in the sixth frame and then clinched the win on two singles and a throwing error with no outs in the seventh.
The Lady Jackets lost the lead — and the game — after one of their most stirring comebacks in recent memory.
The defining moment of Hayesville’s gritty and determined effort occurred with Smoky Mountain leading 2-1 in the top of the fifth when Micalynn McClure fouled off six consecutive pitches before rapping a double. The next batter, Raylyn Taylor also protected the plate, fouling off five pitches before drawing a walk. Hayesville tied the score when Micalynn tagged up and motored home on Mallory Peck’s pop-up over the first base stripe.
Not surprisingly, Micalynn also figured into a beautiful sixth-inning outburst.
With the score 2-2 with one out, Kara Bauer reached after being plunked by a pitch. Danielle Anderson then smoked a low liner down the right field line. Next, Anderson stole second base. Following a ground out, Brianna Patterson broke the deadlock with a bloop, two-run single. Micalynn’s single extended the rally. Patterson then scored on an error at first base on Taylor’s grounder. Micalynn hustled home on Peck’s slow roller to second, which was misplayed. Hayesville 6, Smoky Mountain 2.
The inning was one to be savored, but Hayesville couldn’t hold the lead.
The end was a bitter pill to swallow considering how superbly the Lady Jackets battled.
Things looked bleak when Smoky Mountain hurler Elle Wahnethah struck out the side in the second and then whiffed two Jackets and stranded two runners in the third, but Hayesville kept competing.
The Lady Jackets got on the scoreboard in the fourth when Lillie McClure and Daylyn Murray walked and Bauer drove in a run before Wahnethah recovered and struck out the next three batters.
The Lady Jackets repeatedly made crucial plays in a game they deserved to win: Micalynn fielding a hot shot and chasing the base-runner back to second before rifling a throw to first; a textbook, Chastain-to-Taylor-to-Peck rally-killing double play; a backpedaling catch by Taylor; Peck leaving two stranded with a strikeout in the bottom of the fifth and Murray’s on-the-run grab that left two stranded in the sixth.
Micalynn led Hayesville with three hits, two runs, two assists, two putouts and a stolen base. Lillie scored twice and Patterson drove in a pair.
Peck started and pitched superbly, blanking Smoky Mountain for four innings after the Mustangs scratched out two runs in the first inning. Micalynn relieved in the sixth.
Hayesville 0-0-0 1-1-4 0 = 6
Smoky Mountain 2-0-0 0-0-3 2 = 7
Runs: L. McClure 2, Anderson, Bauer, M. McClure, Patterson
RBI: Patterson 2, Bauer, Peck
Hits: M. McClure 2, Anderson, Bauer, Patterson
Doubles: M. McClure
Steals: Anderson, M. McClure, Taylor
Walks: L. McClure 2, Murray, Taylor
HBP: Bauer
Hayesville 14, Andrews 5
Micalynn slapped three hits, scored three runs, posted three RBIs, stole three bases and earned the pitching decision by striking out 10 Wildcats as the Lady Jackets secured leadership of the Smoky Mountain Conference.
Eight Yellow Jackets participated in a hit parade that totaled 13. Patterson also had three safeties and Murray rapped a single and double.
Peck crossed the plate three times, while Patterson, Taylor, who also swiped three bases, and Chastain scored two runs apiece.
Lillie and Kara Bauer each drove in a pair of runs.
Hayesville drew first blood when Peck singled and Lillie doubled her home in the first inning.
Andrews responded with a run in the bottom before Micalynn slammed the door with back-to-back strikeouts.
The Lady Jackets blew the game open with five runs in the second and three more in the third, which was more than enough as Micalynn seemed to get stronger on the mound as the game progressed.
Hayesville’s big second inning began with Kara Bauer drawing a pass and Chastain reaching on an infield error. A bloop single by Patterson loaded the bases. Kyla Bauer knocked in Kara to give the Jackets a lead they would not relinquish.
Hayesville padded the lead in the third when Anderson pounded a 3-2 pitch to left, Kyla followed with an infield single, Micalynn socked a double to left center and Taylor laid down a bunt and forced a hurried throw that eluded the first baseman and brought in two runs. Hayesville 9-3.
That was more than enough insurance for Micalynn, who retired the side in order in the third inning and whiffed two batters in the fifth.
Hayesville 1-5-3 1-2-0 2 = 14
Andrews 1-2-0 0-1-0 1 = 4
Runs: M. McClure 3, Peck 3, Chastain 2, Patterson 2, Taylor 2, Ka. Bauer, Ky. Bauer
RBI: M. McClure 3, Ka. Bauer 2, L. McClure 2, Ky. Bauer, Murray, Patterson, Peck, Taylor
Hits: M. McClure 3, Patterson 3, Murray 2, Ka. Bauer, Chastain, L. McClure, Peck, Taylor
Doubles: M. McClure, Peck, Taylor
Steals: M. McClure 3, Taylor 3, Peck
Walks: L. McClure
HBP: Ka. Bauer, Peck