For the third time in as many days the two best teams in District 5 faced off on the softball field, this time with all the marbles on the line.
And for the second time in three games the 17th-ranked Cleveland Lady Raiders got the best of third-ranked Walker Valley backing up their first-ever regular season championship with their first-ever District 5-4A championship.
Cleveland rode the bat of powerhouse Roane State signee Ashley Allen, who belted two home runs to lead the way to the 6-5 victory at Walker Valley's Larry Haney Field Wednesday evening.
The Lady Raiders (21-15) will host District 6-4A runner-up East Hamilton (19-11) Monday at home. The Lady Mustangs (27-7) will travel to District 6 champ Bradley Central (15-17). Both teams will be looking to advance to sectional softball looking for a state tournament berth in Wednesday's championship game.
“I felt like we came in a little bit flat like we did Tuesday. But, we made adjustments at the plate. I felt like we were really coachable down the stretch,” said Lady Raider head coach KJ Harris.
“We picked up on a few adjustments we needed to make with our hands and when they did that and saw the success they took advantage.”
Furman signee Lily O'Bryan got the win for Cleveland with a complete-game performance. The CHS senior struck out a pair of Lady Mustangs, while giving up eight hits and four earned runs.
Junior Ryann Presswood took the loss also with a seven-inning day, fanning a pair of Lady Raiders, while giving up 11 hits and one walk with three earned runs.
“I can't say enough about my kids and their fight. They fought all day. They never gave up. It was a tough loss,” said Feisty Fillies head coach Lauren Limburg.
“I'm just so proud of them for fighting back and have an opportunity to push an 'if necessary' game. It was a great game between two great teams.”
LADY RAIDERS 6
FEISTY FILLIES 5
Walker Valley scored first in the first inning on a two-run home run by Alyssa Davenport.
The Feisty Filles took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second on an RBI-single to right field of the bat of Autumn Lanclos that scored Madison Thomas. Thomas singled to right to lead off the inning.
Cleveland came back in the top half of the fourth beginning with a solo shot by Allen over the left-field fence to cut it to 3-1.
Lily Mason reached on an error in front of a single off the bat of Ja'Maya Hill. Both runners raced home on a two-RBI single to right by Emily Patterson.
The Fillies regained the advantage in the bottom of the inning with a bases-loaded walk that plated Morgan Rice, making it a 4-3 game.
The Lady Raiders took the lead for good in their next at bat as Landri Nelson doubled to right and Allison Farnsworth reached on a fielder's choice.
Both runners trotted home when Allen ripped her second "dinger" of the day with a line blast that sailed over the right-center field fence, putting Cleveland up 6-4.
“Her (Allen's) body of work has been very impressive,” praised Coach Harris afterward. “I don't know that there is anybody who takes more reps outside the field than she does.
"She takes hitting very personally and it pays off. We're seeing that in postseason, we've seen it throughout the year. We're not done yet."
The Lady Mustangs fought back for one more run in the bottom of the sixth on back-to-back singles from Rice and Lanclos and a sacrifice fly by Davenport.
Davis singled to open the bottom of the seventh, but was left standing as the Lady Raiders got three straight outs to close out the championship.
“We're excited we get to play on Monday. We're looking forward to continuing in the region.” said Coach Limburg.
“Our two seniors are going to graduate tomorrow (Thursday) night, then we're going to get a little practice, a little rest and a little practice. We've had a lot of ballgames the last few days. We need to rest, take care of our bodies, graduate our two special seniors and get ready for Monday.”
The Lady Raiders turn their attention to Monday and the opening of the Region 3 tournament against East Hamilton.
“It was a battle between the two best teams in the district. Walker is a phenomenal team. They are very gritty. They compete," assessed Coach Harris.
"Presswood is a workhorse. I know a lot of pitchers get caught up in pitch counts, but she doesn't. She is a competitor. Hats off to them.
“We were worried there going into the bottom of the seventh because we know that when they put the ball in play they make things happen. It will still be an interesting postseason, but we're happy.”
