Lady Dragons softball blasts Central 11-4 for first win
Last Thursday, the Clinton Softball Lady Dragons earned their first win of the 2019 season; with a big 11-4 rout of District 3-AAA foe, Central.
Clinton held a 4-1 lead heading into the fourth inning, and would take a 5-1 lead in the top half of the fifth. The Lady Bobcats tried to rally in the bottom of the fifth inning, as they cut into Clinton’s lead by scoring a run.
However, the Lady Dragons would put the ballgame out of reach with a big six-run top half of the seventh inning to seal the win.
Lacy Smith earned the start in the circle for the Lady Dragons. Smith did not need any help, as she would pitch a complete game. Over the course of seven innings, Smith faced 33 Lady Bobcats, and threw 58 strikes out of a whopping 93 pitches.
The Lady Dragons’ slinger gave up eight hits, three runs, and struck out two. Smith relied on her defense to do the dirty work and they did, as Clinton recorded the ballgame’s 21 outs on 29 balls in play.
Offensively, the Lady Dragons combined for a .351 batting average, and had 13 hits in 31 at-bats.
Emma Clevenger had herself a ballgame—going four-for-four at the dish, with three hits, and two RBIs. Clevenger laid down two beautiful bunt singles and capped off her night with a homerun. She finished the contest with a .750 batting average.
Kailee Taylor would have a solid night at the plate, as well. Taylor went two-of-four, with a pair of hits—a double and a single—and a team-leading three RBIs.
The contest featured 11 defensive errors, and 15 runners were left on base. However, the Lady Dragons were able to cash runs in runners in scoring position, while Central failed to do so.
Up next for Clinton, the Lady Dragons will travel to Alcoa next Monday, then Oak Ridge the following evening. Clinton returns to JC Park next Wednesday, March 27, to host the defending TSSAA AAA State Champions—Powell High School. First pitch against the Lady Panthers is scheduled for 6:00.