Story and Photos by Rusty Ellis
The Cookeville Lady Cavs used two explosive innings at the plate to take control early in a 16-6 win over Stone Memorial on Wednesday.
After the Lady Panthers took a 1-0 lead in the first, Cookeville followed it up with seven runs in the bottom of the frame to take a commanding 7-1 advantage.
The Lady Cavs set down Stone in order in the second, leading to a second seven-run frame to take a 14-1 lead into the third inning. Stone wouldn’t go away however, as they scratched across five runs to cut the deficit to 14-6.
Neither team scored in the fourth inning, but the Lady Cavs were able to score once in the fifth to bring the score to 15-6. CHS wrapped up the win with a run in the sixth, putting the score at the 10-run, run rule and winning 16-6.
“We played pretty well, and had a chance to get everyone from our lineup in the game,” said CHS head coach Jordan Webb. “We had some girls pitch tonight that hadn’t pitched all season…it was a good way to end the season, being able to get everyone in and finish the season like that.”
The Lady Cavs celebrated the career of lone senior Shelby Radford on Wednesday, someone who’s put in the work and has left a mark on the program that none involved will forget.
“I’ve made a lot of good friendships that will last forever,” Radford said. “I’ll miss these girls a lot, as well as the coaches.”
And Webb reiterates those sentiments.
“Honoring her because she’s been such an important part of our team since she got here,” Webb said. “She’s played every single game and has been a huge part of our team. That’s what sticks out to me.”
The Lady Cavs will have a quick turnaround to Thursday, as they hit the road to open the district tournament at Lebanon.
“For the most part the last three weeks, we’ve played really strong,” Webb said. “Coming out there and being focused and ready and on the aggressive side will be important…we’re going to get a good game out of them. I think if we come out ready to go and get something on the board quick, we’ll have a shot.”
