HENDERSONVILLE- For the second time in a week, the Avery Lady Vikings softball team handed a loss to the Hendersonville Lady Bearcats. Although the first win was a no-hit effort at home last week, the second win was even sweeter, a 12-4 playoff win on the road in Hendersonville Tuesday evening to advance to the second round of the 1A playoffs.
Avery got to work early with a pair of runs in the first inning. Morgan Yackey walked, stole two bases, and eventually scored on a fielder's choice for the first run. A one out hit by Jessica Banner scored Samantha Shook to put Avery up 2-0.
After a scoreless bottom of the first, Avery plated two more in the second inning to take a 4-0 advantage. Sara Wiseman reached base on a fielder's choice, followed by a Yackey single. After a sacrifice bunt by Sara Singleton moved the runners over, Shook singled to score both runners and give the Lady Vikings a working cushion.
Hendersonville scrapped across a run in the bottom of the second, then held Avery scoreless for the next three innings. The Lady Bearcats battled back to tie the contest at 4-4 with a run in the bottom of the fourth and a pair of runs in the fifth inning.
Undaunted, Avery's bats awakened off the Hendersonville relief pitcher, peppering base hits around the diamond in scoring four runs in the top of the sixth to regain the lead at 8-4. Three consecutive base hits from Shook, Sierra Perkins, and Kaylea Davis drove in three of the runs, while a Ramona McGowan single plated another.
Avery starter Morgan Yackey managed to work out of trouble on several occasions in the game, picking up key outs to strand Lady Bearcats runners on the base paths. The junior right hander struck out eight hitters while scattering five hits in a complete game effort.
Hendersonville threatened in the bottom of the sixth inning, but a groundout to pitcher left a runner on third base. Avery picked up four insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning as the team batted around for the second straight inning. Emory Deese and Singleton each ripped singles in the inning, while Avery took advantage of a pair of walks and a throwing error to bring home important runs.
The Lady Bearcats put a runner on in the bottom of the seventh, but was later caught stealing on a throw to third by catcher Haley Hicks. Yackey struck out the final hitter looking to seal the win.
Avery takes on Swain County in Bryson City in the second round of the playoffs on Friday. The Lady Maroon Devils are 22-2 on the season and defeated Andrews 10-0 in its first round contest.
