Softball
Tuesday, May 15, 2001
Oakland Lady Patriots ousted in Region 4
Despite pitching a one hitter, Valanna Lyons and the Oakland Patriots came up a game short of reaching the Region 4-AAA championship when they were edged 1-0 by Lincoln County Monday.
Lincoln County’s (30-16) Jennifer Atchley walked, stole second, and scored her team’s only run in the fifth inning on a hard ground ball from Lauren Bankston.
Bankston reached first on a throwing error and Atchley beat the throw home.
Atchley was the only walk given up by Lyons (12-3) in the game and one of only five Lady Falcons to reach base safely. Up to that point, Lyons had struck out 10 batters through four innings and had only allowed one ball into the outfield.
“I couldn’t ask anymore of Valanna tonight,” said Oakland coach Pierre Lyons. “She really pitched a great game.”
Oakland (19-6) also finished the game with one hit, but left three runners in scoring position compared to none by Lincoln County.
Its best scoring opportunity came in the third when Tabbetha Martin walked and Jessica Boyce collected her team’s only hit. With runners at second and third and only one out, two Lady Patriots failed to drive in a run.
Oakland also fell short of the solid defense they showed throughout the regular season. Three errors committed by the Lady Patriots resulted in as many baserunners for the Lady Falcons.
“We didn’t play well in two main phases of the game — defense and hitting,” coach Lyons said. “You can’t play poor defense and not hit when runners are in scoring position and expect to win.”
“You just can’t play a bad game at tournament time.”
Lyons finished the last game of her high school career with 12 strikeouts.
Lincoln County’s Stephanie Pike also pitched a solid game, striking out five Lady Patriots and pitching a complete game shutout.
“(Lincoln County) beat us because they played solid defense and got the run in when they needed to,” coach Lyons said. “We had an outstanding season, we just came up a little short.”
Oakland will lose eight seniors, including Lyons who has been voted All-State every year of her high school career.
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Lincoln County 1, Oakland 0
Lincoln County 000 010 0 — 1 1 3
Oakland 000 000 0 — 0 1 3
Pike and Bankston; Lyons and Sloan. WP: Pike. LP: Lyons (12-3)
Lincoln County’s (30-16) Jennifer Atchley walked, stole second, and scored her team’s only run in the fifth inning on a hard ground ball from Lauren Bankston.
Bankston reached first on a throwing error and Atchley beat the throw home.
Atchley was the only walk given up by Lyons (12-3) in the game and one of only five Lady Falcons to reach base safely. Up to that point, Lyons had struck out 10 batters through four innings and had only allowed one ball into the outfield.
“I couldn’t ask anymore of Valanna tonight,” said Oakland coach Pierre Lyons. “She really pitched a great game.”
Oakland (19-6) also finished the game with one hit, but left three runners in scoring position compared to none by Lincoln County.
Its best scoring opportunity came in the third when Tabbetha Martin walked and Jessica Boyce collected her team’s only hit. With runners at second and third and only one out, two Lady Patriots failed to drive in a run.
Oakland also fell short of the solid defense they showed throughout the regular season. Three errors committed by the Lady Patriots resulted in as many baserunners for the Lady Falcons.
“We didn’t play well in two main phases of the game — defense and hitting,” coach Lyons said. “You can’t play poor defense and not hit when runners are in scoring position and expect to win.”
“You just can’t play a bad game at tournament time.”
Lyons finished the last game of her high school career with 12 strikeouts.
Lincoln County’s Stephanie Pike also pitched a solid game, striking out five Lady Patriots and pitching a complete game shutout.
“(Lincoln County) beat us because they played solid defense and got the run in when they needed to,” coach Lyons said. “We had an outstanding season, we just came up a little short.”
Oakland will lose eight seniors, including Lyons who has been voted All-State every year of her high school career.
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Lincoln County 1, Oakland 0
Lincoln County 000 010 0 — 1 1 3
Oakland 000 000 0 — 0 1 3
Pike and Bankston; Lyons and Sloan. WP: Pike. LP: Lyons (12-3)
