One of the most potent power-hitting softball duos in Tennessee continues to deliver for Baylor School.
With a combined 25 home runs this season, seniors Holly Merritt and Riley Oleksik have provided the big hits as the focal points of a dangerous top-to-bottom lineup that has scored double digit runs in 10 of the Lady Red Raiders' 23 games this season.
Their big bats helped deliver a Division II East District regular season championship on Tuesday with an 11-1 victory over rival GPS at Warner Park.
Merritt drilled doubles to deep center and left center field in the third and fourth innings, with the first tying the game at one and her second clearing the bases to provide a commanding 7-1 lead in a six-run fourth.
"We definitely do put pressure on ourselves, but we have been focused on the saying, 'success isn't an accident,'" said the star first baseman Merritt, who is part of a program that has won a TSSAA record eight state championships. "We don't just win because we are Baylor, we win because we are a good team. We all come together and are able to produce. It is not just one of us. We are all capable of making an impact."
Oleksik provided the go-ahead RBI double in the third inning to left center as the cleanup hitter followed Merritt as she's done all season. The Eastern Kentucky signee and star catcher then later hit her area-best 16th home run of the season well beyond the centerfield fence for Baylor's 10th run in the sixth inning.
The Lady Red Raiders (17-5-1, 6-0 Division II East District) sealed the deal after Oleksik's home run as Chloe Cunningham recorded her game-high third hit of the day, which was followed by a walk-off RBI double by Amiya Leach.
"One of the coolest things about our team is that everybody can hit," Oleksik said. "We make good contact and put pressure on teams. We have so much trust in each other and playing with these seniors that I have grown up with is special. If it's not my day, it is Holly's and vice versa. Addi (Yates) also gives the best pep talks and gets everybody going."
Yates continued to set the tone atop the lineup with two walks, a single and two runs driven in. Rylee Jasper followed her in the lineup, going 1-for-2 with a walk, RBI and run scored.
Meanwhile, Yates was flawless in the field as she turned two of Baylor's three double plays, backing up senior standout pitcher Kaylee Snyder, whose only run allowed came on a solo home run by Bailey Long in the top of the first for GPS (8-10, 5-3).
"I didn't have my best stuff today, but that was okay because I knew my defense could pick me up and that's exactly what they did," Snyder said. "Addi really leads us in the infield along with Holly at first. We are going to find a way to make it happen no matter what."
The Bruisers received a great diving catch by Sylia Hicks, while three of their five hits in the defeat came in the first inning that included a leadoff single by Jayla Gladden and a two-out double by Addi Smith. Calieah Reyes, one of four starting eighth graders for GPS, went 2-for-2 in the ninth spot of the lineup, while her twin sister, Adrianna, flashed her glove at third base several times.
However, Baylor was too much to overcome.
"This group is special," Baylor coach Kelli Smith said. "I have had so many of these kids since they were little bitty. Most of them started with me at camp. We have five seniors who are signed to play college softball. These girls grew up wanting to be in the spots they are in now and it is special to see them living out some of their dreams, and one day soon going on to that next level."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.