Lady Cats overpower Monterey, Clarkrange

With a pair of games this week, one at home with Macon County on Monday and the second today, Tuesday, May 2, also at home, the Livingston Academy girls softball team will wind down its regular season and head for playoff action that gets underway Friday.

Last week was a good one for the Lady Cats as they defeated both opponents, Monterey at home Tuesday, 10-5, then returned on Wednesday to topple Clarkrange, 12-1.

With the two wins, Livingston improved its season record to 9-8 overall and 5-5 in district play.

Monterey struck first with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning, but a three-run homer by Bailey Hutchison in the bottom of the inning put LA on top and the Lady Cats stayed there. The homer was Hutchison’s fourth of the season.

Tatum Pendergrass also had a big bat for the winners, collecting three hits and driving in three runs. Pitcher Sabrina Garrett had a pair of runs batted in and Kyra Gilliam had one.

Garrett had a good day in the pitcher’s circle, giving up only four hits, allowing five runs, and striking out seven.

It was somewhat the same story on Wednesday when Clarkrange came to town. Livingston had an outstanding day at the plate, pounding out 11 hits and sending 12 runners across the plate in a convincing 12-1 win.

Pendergrass, only a freshman, made her first career start as a pitcher and had an outstanding day, going the distance and allowing only one run and six hits. She also struck out six.

Jozie Allen and Hutchison each had three hits to lead the attack, with one of Hutchison’s a two-run homer. It was her fifth homer of the season and only one short of the school record of 6 held by Stacy Flowers.

Garrett had a pair of hits, and one of hers was a two-run walk-off homer that ended the game. Garrett has two home runs on the season. Calla Pierce was the other Lady Cat with two hits.