HIGH SCHOOL TEAM PAGES SULLIVAN SOUTH

Lady Rebels Plate Ten in Fourth For Senior Night Win Over Central

Lady Rebels Plate Ten in Fourth For Senior Night Win Over Central
2018 Sullivan South Lady Rebel seniors (left-to-right) Brynna Teal, Taylor McConnell, Taylor Wexler and Emily Ireson. Photo contributed to TriCitiesSports.com.
by JIMMY MOORE
TriCitiesSports.com
April 27, 2018

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – For the first three innings in a Three Rivers Conference make-up game here Friday Sullivan South and Sullivan Central (6-26, 2-9) were deadlocked at 2-2.

But just as they had done all season in a number of games according to the Lady Cougars’ coach Eddie Spriggs it all fell apart for the visitors in the bottom of the fourth inning when the Lady Rebels plated 10 runs on the way to a five-inning, 12-2 victory.

Following the contest South (13-16, 7-4) recognized four seniors – Brynna Teal, Taylor McConnell, Taylor Wexler, and Emily Ireson – who South coach Chris Sturgill has heavily factored into the Lady Rebels success the pass 2-3 years.

“I’m really glad they get to go out like this on Senior Night,” said Sturgill. “They came in as freshmen where it was a little rough and they helped turn the tables and get us to where we are now.”

Central’s Faith Campbell scored both of the visitors runs, the first coming in the second inning when she was hit by a pitch and scored on an error. In the fourth inning Campbell got aboard on a fielder’s choice and raced home on Madison Horne’s double.

South had knotted the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the third inning. Destiny Hyatt walked and scored on three straight wild pitches. University of Charleston West Virginia signee also drew a base on balls and raced home on a wild pitch.

“We had battled back and tied it up 2-2 and it was a good game until the wheels kind of fell off,” said the Cougars’ coach. “That was sort of the sum of the whole year. That fourth inning kind of done us in.”

Nicole Troutman led off the bottom of the fourth inning with a base hit, the second hit in the frame for her. Emily Ireson then got aboard on a fielder’s choice.

The Lady Rebels’ Teal, Allison Chapman, Laura Dade, Wexler, and Makkenzie Compton followed with base hits in the inning to seal the deal. Dade left the field after an injury at second base.

“It is sort of bittersweet because you hate to see the seniors leave but it has been a pleasure,” added Sturgill. “I’m glad where they helped get us with all the hard work they’ve put in. It could not have been a better day.”

Taylor McConnell went the distance in the circle, picking up the win after scattering four hits while striking out four batters.

“It’s amazing especially on Senior Night to come out with a win,” she said. “We’ve had a good four years together here. We had played all through middle school and high school and worked together the four years here.”

Central’s Courtney Willis started the game in the pitcher’s circle before giving way to Sydney Snap.

“Snapp had been throwing the ball really good,” added Spriggs. “Courtney had us at 2-2 but nobody stepped up. All we needed to do was make the routine plays. We usually play a little better defense.

“I’ve been around this game a long time and it all boils down to making routine plays. When everybody gets to hitting it, everyone wants to be along for the ride.”
 
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Sullivan South
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Sullivan Central -- Courtney Willis, Sydney Snapp (4). Sullivan South -- Taylor McConnell and Maddie Townsend. WP – McConnell. LP – Sydney Snapp. 2B – Sullivan South 1 (Brynna Teal); Sullivan Central 1 (Madison Horne).

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