Last week the Avery Lady Vikings managed to work around inclement weather and complete three games on the diamond.On Wednesday the Big Red traveled to Burnsville to take on conference foe Mountain Heritage.
Avery’s varsity club began the game well with three runs in support of starting pitcher Morgan Yackey, but Heritage proved too tough to tame in an 18-8 loss.
Sara Singleton reached on an error and catcher Sam Shook doubled to put runners on base as Avery opened the top of the first inning. Second baseman Kaylea Davis capitalized as she ripped a two-run double to put the Big Red on top. Third baseman Kaylan Deese also doubled in the inning as Davis crossed the plate to put the Lady Vikings in the lead 3-0 after one-half inning.
Heritage scratched a pair of runs across in its half of the first to cut Avery’s lead to 3-2, but the Lady Vikings gained the advantage back, and then some. The bats remained hot in the top of the second as Avery put another crooked number on the scoreboard with three more runs.
Becca Biggerstaff singled to lead off the frame and shortstop Justina Rieger was hit by a pitch to put two runners on base. Leadoff hitter Morgan Yackey rapped a two-run double, and crossed the plate herself before the inning ended to bump the Avery advantage to 6-2.
The score remained unchanged until the bottom of the third when the Lady Cougars rallied to tie the contest with four runs on four hits.
Avery’s offense cooled in the middle innings as Mountain Heritage continued to hit. The Lady Cougars scored four additional runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 10-6 lead, but Avery rallied with a run on a Deese RBI groundout in the top of the fifth to narrow its deficit to three runs.
Unlike the early innings, the Lady Vikings were unable to tame the Lady Cougars offensive firepower. Heritage added two runs in the bottom of the fifth to boost its margin to 12-7. Avery scored a run in the top of the sixth to get as close as 12-8, but the first five hitters reached base in the bottom of the sixth for Mountain Heritage. Six runs came home for the Lady Cougars in the inning to enforce the ten-run rule as Heritage captured the 18-8 win.
It was a solid effort for the Lady Vikings throughout their lineup, as eight of nine starters hit safely, with Yackey, Shook, Davis, and Deese each lacing a pair of base hits which included a double as well as a run batted in.
“I was real pleased with our offense and run production, especially getting six runs in the first two innings. We scored two more runs and had two excellent chances to score additional runs, but they made two very good defensive plays – once when we had runners on second and third and once when we had the bases loaded,” Avery head softball Coach Merritt Yackey remarked following the game. “Those two plays and one defensive play we did not make would have prevented three of their runs and been an 8 to 10-run swing. Defensively we gave up seven errors, but Morgan had two assists and a putout from the mound and Justina Rieger had four assists and a putout playing shortstop.”
Anytime Avery and Cloudland square off in an athletic contest, you can expect both teams to give it their all. Thursday afternoon was no exception as both teams fought hard as the Lady Vikings came out on top in a 7-3 victory in the first game. Avery also captured a 5-0 victory in game two.
In game one, the Lady ‘Landers got on the board first as Cessalie Severson and Cassie Johnson scored as they got on base after third strike errant pitches. Atlanta Largent got a base hit and stole second and third, but could not score. The Lady Vikings got the next two CHS batters on groundouts as the Lady ‘Landers led at the half inning mark.
The Lady Vikings countered with an offensive display of their own as they scored three runs in their part of the inning. Sara Singleton was the first to reach the bases as she hit a single then stole second. Samantha Shook doubled to left field and brought Singleton home for the RBI. Jessica Banner also scored for the Lady Vikings after recording a double. Kaylea Davis also got on base, but was unable to score as the Lady ‘Landers tightened their defense up after Avery took a 3-2 lead into the second.
The game remained scoreless in the third as Avery pitcher Morgan Yackey and CHS hurler Hunter McKinney found their touch. Avery struck in the bottom of the third as they put up four runs to take a 7-2 lead entering the fourth as Becca Biggerstaff, Kaylan Deese, Banner and Shook all crossed home plate. Amber Clark also recorded an RBI in the inning as all of the Lady Viking hitters made a plate appearance.
The Lady ‘Landers countered in the fourth as Jessica Burleson touched off after she led off with a double. Burleson stole third to get in scoring position and Dakota Jarrett also recorded a hit and stolen base. However, the Lady ‘Landers could not get any runners across to score. The Lady Vikings was unable to add to their lead after CHS pulled a double play on a grounder then got the next batter out. The Lady ‘Landers were unable to get any offense going in the fifth inning as the Lady Vikings preserved a 7-3 victory.
In game two, both teams got the opportunity to get younger players on the field as Avery won 5-0. To start the game, the Lady ‘Landers were unable to get a player on base. Avery managed to get runs from Yackey and Singleton to take the early 2-0 lead. The Lady Vikings added two more runs in the second as Amber Clark and Justina Rieger reached home plate and catcher Charley Puckett scored in the third. Despite a hard fought effort, the Lady ‘Landers were unable to get anything going as they could not keep up with the Lady Vikings.
