CHARLESTON, Tenn. -- The Region 3-4A softball championship game had it all; a pitcher's dual between two of the best hurlers in the tri state area, highlight reel plays on the defensive, side, key hits in crucial situations — and rain.
The battle between Walker Valley's Ryann “Boogs” Presswood and East Hamilton's Yulia Woodruff can only be described as epic with Presswood coming out as the winning pitcher between two hurlers who both deserved to win the fight to the finish.
Only a mis-played ball to the outfield in the bottom of the ninth gave the Lady Mustangs a 2-1 win over the Lady Hurricanes Wednesday at Larry Haney Field.
Walker Valley will return to action with a state tournament berth on the line Friday against Region 4-4A runner-up Smyrna, while East Hamilton will travel to Smyrna, also with a shot at a trip to Murfreesboro.
“Wow.What a great game,” said an emotional Lady Mustangs head coach Lauren Limburg as her team celebrated the victory. “It was a complete team effort. We had people step up. We made diving plays on the field. We had our backs against the wall a few times and we came up with outs. “Boogs” pitched a great game. We had several people step up and get hits. I just can't say enough about our fight and our resilience. I'm just so proud of them. They're a great group of girls, man and I am very blessed to be their coach.”
Presswood and Woodruff both had impressive complete game outings. Presswood gave up seven hits on the afternoon giving up a single earned run on a first inning home run by East Hamilton lead-off hitter Bailey Poschke. The Walker Valley junior right-hander held the Lady Hurricanes mostly in check the rest of the way striking out a dozen batters and walking only one. The future UTEP Miner threw to 39 Lady Hurricanes who saw 91 strikes out of 132 pitches.
“Boogs” just pitched great. She just stepped up when we needed outs, when we needed strikeouts. She stepped up and she got those outs and our defense backed her up the whole time,” praised Limburg.
Woodruff gave up eight hits to the Lady Mustangs with four Ks, two free passes and one earned run. She faced 39 batters while throwing 89 strikes in 149 pitches.
Walker Valley left 10 runners on base while East Hamilton stranded eight.
“I thought we had a great plan. I thought our girls executed the plan. They trusted the process. It didn't happen those first few innings, but we kept the fight and we trusted the process and I'm just really proud of them for continuing to fight,” said Limburg. “I love this group. They are not only great athletes, but they are great young ladies they are great students. We've got great families. I'm just blessed.”
It took the Lady 'Canes just one batter in the top of the first inning to put the first run on the board lead-off hitter Poschke took a 1-1 offering over the right-field fence to put the visitors up 1-0.
Presswood pitched through rain drops in the top of the fifth as a brief, but heavy rain shower sent fans scurrying for shelter.
The East Hamilton lead lead stood until the bottom of the inning when the Lady Mustangs tied the score beginning a Madison Thomas one out double to right-center field. Autumn Lanclos got the RBI with a single to center that knotted the game at 1-1.
Both teams put runners on the bags in the sixth and seventh with the Feisty Fillies loading the bases with no outs in the bottom of the seventh. But, Woodruff got a pair of short fly balls and a grounder to shortstop to dash the threat.
The Lady Mustangs again put runners on in the lower half of the eight, but could not push a run across the plate. The Lady 'Canes put a runner on in the top of the ninth with one out before Presswood dialed up a pair of Ks to end the inning.
With one out in the bottom of the inning, Karly Blackwell singled to right and was still on first when Alyssa Davenport lifted a high fly ball to the outfield. With two outs, Blackwell was off and running on the hit and raced home with the winning run when the ball was misplayed giving the victory to the Lady Mustangs.
“That was a great hit by Alyssa to get that last run in. Like I said, I'm just proud. Everybody did their job and we're just excited to be able to host a sectional,” said Limburg. “We've got to take care of business Friday. Whoever it is will be a great team and we've got to come ready to fight.”
Game Summary
East Hamilton 100 000 0 — 1 7 4
Walker Valley 000 010 1 — 2 8 1
WP: Boogs Presswood LP: Yulia Woodruff HR: Bailey Poschke (EH) 2B: Woodruff (EH); Madison Thomas (WV) Highlights: Poschke 3-4 RS RBI (EH); Kaarly Blackwell RS, Thomas 3-4 RS (WV).
(Contact Richard Roberts at richardvol55@yahoo.com)