The McMinn Central Lady Chargers came to Midway on Wednesday, looking to even things up with the Lady Waves. Last week, the Girls from South of the River had squeaked out a 5-4 victory over the AA squad. The rematch on Wednesday kept the Green faithful on edge for most of the contest.
This game started off as a defensive battle. The first four innings were scoreless on both sides. Pitcher Hannah Colyer threw for eight strikeouts in those innings, but Midway managed only two hits in that time. Center fielder Krystal Rue singled, and second baseman Taylor Narramore hit a blast to deep right field that earned her a double. The Lady Waves could not capitalize on either of those hits, however.
The fireworks started in the top of the fifth frame. A Colyer strikeout led off the inning in fine fashion. The next batter singled, however. A Midway error put two runners on for the Lady Chargers, and the visiting team threatened to score for the first time in the game. Colyer hurled another strikeout to give the Lady Waves two outs. The next batter hit another single, though, and this time two runs scored. Later with two runners on again, Colyer worked out of the jam with her third strikeout of the inning. In the bottom of the fifth, the Lady Waves were quick to answer. After catcher Alex Coffman reached base on a Central error, she quickly stole to third. With one out and Coffman on, Colyer hit a big double to center field that easily scored the speedy catcher. Kayla Roberts came on as Colyer’s courtesy runner, and she was soon moved to third base by a single from the bat of first baseman Kati Alexander. Narramore then connected for an infield sacrifice RBI that scored Roberts, tying the game. Third baseman Michele Walden singled to knock in Alexander and give Midway its first lead of the game. Right fielder Paige Moree singled on an infield hit, but no more Lady Wave runners would score in the inning. However, much to the delight of the sizable home crowd, Midway now held the lead, 3-2.
In the sixth inning, it seemed like the momentum had swung in favor of the Lady Waves. Center fielder Krystal Rue moved back to grab a towering shot that was hit deep into her territory for the first out. Colyer quickly followed with a strikeout. Walden later fielded a grounder and threw to Alexander to keep the lead in the possession of Midway. The Lady Waves opened the proverbial floodgates in the bottom of the sixth, providing the Midway fans with a lot of relief. Coffman was hit by a pitch to start the inning. Rue hit to left field, then Colyer singled to drive in Coffman. Roberts came on to run for Colyer again, and stole second base. That steal attempt allowed Rue to steal home. Later, with one out, Narramore walked to put two runners on. Walden came up big, when she hit a bomb to deep left field for two RBIs. Moree got a sacrifice RBI when she was thrown out at first and Walden crossed the plate. Shortstop Danielle Borum also singled in the inning. By the time the sixth was over, the Lady Waves led 8-2.
The Lady Chargers had a deep hole to dig out of in the seventh, and they could not do it. The first Central batter did reach base with a single. However, when she later tried to steal second, Borum came up with one of the best defensive plays of the season. Borum jumped high in the air to field the throw from the catcher and to avoid having her legs taken out by the sliding runner. Then, in an incredibly athletic move, she managed to reach down from the air and tag the runner out. The other two outs of the inning came by way of Colyer strikeouts, and the Lady Waves secured the 8-2 victory.
Colyer was once again a powerhouse, throwing for 14 strikeouts. The Midway bats really came alive in the fifth and sixth innings, showing that this offense can explode at any time. On Thursday, the Lady Waves will travel to Harriman for an important district match-up with the Lady Blue Devils. Game time is set for 6 PM. The Midway girls will be back at home on Friday to host the Wartburg Lady Bulldogs.