DISTRICT 5-2A SOFTBALL: Smith County Clinches First Region Tournament Berth Since 2008 Via 7-5 Victory Over Monterey

By Michael Lindsay

 

The Smith County Lady Owls clinched their first region softball tournament berth in 16 years Tuesday evening as they defeated Monterey in the final District 5-2A tournament elimination game at Watertown, 5-2.

“They kept working hard and kept grinding,” said Smith County head coach Connie Holder. “I’m very proud of them; they stayed focused. They (Monterey) are a good team and they fight. We had to keep pushing.”

The Lady Owls opened the day with a 6-0 loss to the hosting Purple Tigers before defeating Monterey in an elimination game in the third contest of the evening. Monterey earned a 15-0 victory over Jackson County before the showdown with Smith County.

Abby Woodard, Lauren Carlyle, Jackee Rigsby and Chloe Collins collected two hits each in the victory over Monterey including a double by Carlyle and two runs scored by Woodard.

Collins earned the victory in the circle as she allowed only 2 hits and 2 runs with 2 strikeouts in 4 innings while Rigsby earned the save with a pair of strikeouts in 3 innings pitched.

Haylee Trevatham recorded 2 hits for Monterey while pitcher Ali Novak struck out 7 batters in 6 innings.

Smith County struck first in the bottom of the second inning as a Shelby Bamford sacrifice fly scored Carlyle before a dropped third strike and subsequent error allowed Rigsby to score, giving Smith County a 2-0 lead.

The Lady Owls tacked on a run in the bottom of the third as a Carlyle single scored Woodard. Monterey responded in the top of the fourth as a passed ball and error on a bunt attempt allowed Skyla Blalock and Madison Bowman to score, cutting Smith County’s lead to 3-2.

Smith County extended their lead with a 4-run bottom of the sixth inning. All four runs came via Lady Wildcat errors with two outs as Anna Kate Sanders, Cassie Mofield, Nevaeh Troutt and Woodard each scored to give Smith County a 7-2 lead entering the seventh inning.

Monterey didn’t go down without a fight as the Lady Wildcats scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning and had the go-ahead run at the plate, but Rigsby forced a ground-out to seal Smith County’s 7-5 victory.

The Lady Owls are set face Watertown in the District 5-2A championship when weather permits before advancing to the Region 3-2A tournament May 13, opponent and location TBD.