True Grit
Lady Mavs tangle with top competition at weekend tourney
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Anderson County’s Miranda McCracken bunts during the Lady Mavericks’ rainy- day game against Waverly at Caswell Park in Knoxville. - Tony Cox
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Addy Grooms had a busy weekend in the circle for the Lady Mavs. The Gibbs Invitaional was held at Caswell Park in Knoxville. - Tony Cox
Anderson County’s softball team competed in the Gibbs Invitational at Caswell Park in Knoxville Friday and Saturday and the Lady Mavericks played against some of the Volunteer State’s top teams
“We saw some good competition,” ACHS Coach Allen Russell said after his team went 1-4 in one of East Tennessee’s top high school tournaments. “We played some good teams.”
In their tournament opener in East Knoxville, the Lady Mavs played a 2023 state tournament qualifier when they tangled with Waverly. ACHS lost 7-4 on Friday afternoon.
“We played Waverly and they went to state last year in their division,” Russell said. “We played pretty well and they just beat us, and we just have to tip our hats to them.”
Anderson County leadoff hitter Kaycee Baldwin was 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored, while Alexis Siebers had two hits and drove in a run. Miranda McCracken had a hit and two RBIs. Reese Brock singled and scored twice.
In its second game Friday, Anderson County (5-14) lost to Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett 10-0.
Against the Indians, Baldwin came up with a hit and two stolen bases.
The Lady Mavericks opened Saturday with a 12-3 loss to William Blount.
“They’re in first place in their district, too,” Russell said of the Lady Governors. “I rested some people in that game to get ready for the (single-elimination round).”
Baldwin, Alli McKamey and Brock each had two hits against William Blount.
The Lady Mavs defeated Cookeville 3-2 on Saturday. McKamey, who has been battling injuries this season, returned behind the plate.
“It was big to have her back there,” Russell said.
Freshman Addy Grooms pitched a five-inning complete game. She gave up two unearned runs and five hits. She posted a pair of strikeouts.
Baldwin singled and scored, while Ella Varner had a single and an RBI. McKamey was 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
Anderson County lost the final game of the tournament, falling 5-0 to Chattanooga Baylor. The Lady Raiders no-hit the Lady Mavericks and scored all five of their runs in the sixth inning.
ACHS opened the week with a 12-1 win over Oak Ridge on Monday, April 8.
Baldwin and Marlea Finstad each homered in the contest, and Finstad also doubled against the Lady Wildcats.