DUNLAP, Tenn. - As if reclaiming the District 7-AA tournament championship weren't sweet enough, the Sequatchie County softball team did so by beating archrival Bledsoe County for a third time this season Monday evening.
The Lady Indians' 3-2 win secured the program's fourth district title in five years and brought back the hardware after Bledsoe County had won it last season.
"It's hard to beat any team three times in a season, but especially when it's your biggest rival," Sequatchie County coach Kelly Somerville said. "No matter what the game is, when these two teams play it's going to be a tough battle, and they fought us down to the last out."
Sequatchie scored two runs in the home half of the first inning and got another in the second before having to hold on late. Freshman pitcher Emily Yell scattered four hits for the win, and the Lady Indians turned in several impressive defensive plays behind her.
"She's used to having the pressure on her," Somerville said of Yell. "She plays up with older girls in summer league, so that's helped her mature, and she's just the kind of kid who's good at handling pressure. Pitching is so mental, and she's a strong kid mentally."
Sequatchie grabbed the early lead on Amber Kilgore's double plating Madi Presto and Shiann Stockwell, who each had singled. In the second, Presto tripled and later scored on an error for insurance. Presto also had a diving catch in center field to prevent what could have been extra bases.
"I was just trying to make a play for my team," said Presto, who went 2-for-4 and scored two runs. "It was big to get the momentum early with those runs, and any time you can beat your big rival for a championship, that feels really good."
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.