MURFREESBORO — Payton Moore’s 18th birthday was certainly one to remember, just like the Dobyns-Bennett softball team’s Spring Fling debut.
Of course, there wasn’t much different about the result, a fourth straight shutout win for Julianne Tipton. The only differences were the location and the stage, as the Lady Indians took down Walker Valley 4-0 at McKnight Park Tuesday afternoon.
Speaking of Tipton, she hasn’t allowed a run in 26 innings for the Tribe (32-11). She scattered five hits with eight strikeouts in her latest win. And she recovered quickly from giving up back-to-back singles to start the fourth inning, retiring the next three batters to escape unharmed.
Moore singled to account for one of D-B’s nine hits in the game, and she fielded a ground ball to second to record the final out.
“I probably had six waters today (to stay hydrated),” Moore said, while indicating the recent cicada emergence hardly fazed her. “Bugs don’t bother me.”
Neither did the Walker Valley boys soccer team, which provided vocal support for the Lady Mustangs (30-8-1) before departing early for their state quarterfinal match.
McMILLAN BREAKS THE ICE
Freshman catcher Riley McMillan and Tipton both hit 2-for-4 to lead the offense. After Hailey Porter had drawn a leadoff walk in the third inning, McMillan lined an RBI double to center and broke the scoreless tie.
McMillan also scored D-B’s final run in the seventh inning, coming on a two-out single by Sophie Dean.
“She’s a McMillan, so it’s in the genes,” D-B coach Andy Hubbard said.
Allie McConnelee put two runners on base with her one-out single in the fifth. Catie Zani singled home D-B’s second run, and McConnelee scored on a groundout by Dean.
Karly Blackwell went 2-for-3 to lead the Lady Mustangs. Ryann Presswood went all seven innings and struck out one batter.
“I think patience (was the key),” Hubbard said. We were popping it up a lot. We kept telling them get on top of it. We finally did, and we put some hits together, had some quality at-bats and got people on.”
Claudia Maness’ single rounded out D-B’s nine hits.
UP NEXT
The Lady Indians face Nolensville at 11 a.m. Eastern on Wednesday morning at the StarPlex. With a win, the Lady Indians would advance to Thursday’s winners’ bracket final. A loss would have D-B playing for survival at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.
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