By Michael Lindsay
The Cookeville Lady Cavaliers wrapped up regular season District 7-4A play with a senior night win Monday evening as they defeated Lebanon, 7-2.
“It was a big game and big night with senior night,” said Cookeville head coach Jordan Webb. “It’s a long time coming and they’ve put in a lot of hours. There was a lot on the line and the girls were ready to play. We had some timely hitting and played really good defense.”
Senior pitcher Madison Lancaster recorded the victory as she struck out 12 batters while surrendering 6 hits and 2 runs in 7 innings pitched.
“That’s Maddie being Maddie,” said Webb. “She thrives in these situations. When she gets deep in the count, she finds it well and navigates out really well. She’s never nervous and goes about her business.”
Five Lady Cavaliers recorded two hits led by senior first baseman Laylah Turner, who went 2-2 with a 2-run home run, 2 RBIs, a run scored and a stolen base. Julie Martin, Kadie Presley, Kyrklinn Moores and Kali Webb also recorded 2 hits each for Cookeville.
Following a Lebanon run in the top of the first inning, Cookeville opened with three in the bottom of the frame as a Moores grounder scored Martin followed by Turner’s two-run home run to give Cookeville a 3-1 advantage.
The Lady Cavaliers tacked on a run in the bottom of the third inning as Presley scored on a wild pitch to give her team a 4-1 lead.
Cookeville extended their lead to 5-1 in the bottom of the fifth via a Moores single followed by 2 runs in the bottom of the sixth via singles by Presley and Turner to give the Lady Cavaliers a 7-1 advantage.
Lebanon scratched a run across in the top of the seventh before Lancaster forced a ground-out and strikeout to seal the 7-2 victory.
Cookeville is scheduled to wrap up the regular season at DeKalb County on Tuesday, weather permitting, and moves to the District 7-4A tournament as the #3 seed on Thursday.
The Lady Cavaliers are scheduled to host LaVergne Thursday night in District 7-4A action.
