Sometimes, you’re too busy watching Lady Waves softball to write about Lady Waves Softball. That’s what has happened in the last week. We apologize for the delay, but here’s a short recap of the past six games.
Last Thursday night, the Lady Waves of Midway warmed up with two home victories over district foe Grace Christian. The Green team started a little slow, then poured on the coal to blank the Grace girls 11-0 in the first game. The Lady Rams must have used up whatever they had in that game, because it was all Midway in the second half of the double header. The Lady Waves were hitting on all cylinders to get a 29-0 win.
On Friday, the Green faithful sat for six hours in Soddy Daisy before the tournament directors decided it was too wet to play ball. The girls returned on Saturday and opened the tournament with a 3-0 loss to SOR neighbors Meigs County in pool play. The Lady Waves gave up all three runs in the top of the first inning, but settled down to play some tough ball for the remainder of the game. Due to the rain delays, Midway’s next game was against Mercy Academy of Kentucky. This Soddy Daisy tournament featured 32 strong teams. There was not a weak squad in sight. The Mercy team had played Goodpasture to a 2-2 tie in their morning game, and the Green faithful were hoping the Lady Waves would be able to compete. Not only did the girls compete, but came within a hair of getting the victory. With Midway behind 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning, Dee Borum came up to bat with one runner on, and she got a big lick. Dee drove the ball to the left field fence, over the head of the Mercy left fielder. That big hit tied the game. However, in the bottom of the inning, Mercy would score on a passed ball to get a 2-1 win over the Lady Waves. The Green did not win a game, but they sure turned some heads at this tournament, which was dominated by large schools. Hannah Colyer was super sharp in the second game. She threw hard, then pitched some beautiful change-ups that left the Mercy players wondering what happened.
On Monday, Midway traveled to Oakdale and put a 20-0 thumping on the Lady Eagles. Michele Walden got the shutout win, pitching the entire game.
On Tuesday, looking for more competition, the Lady Waves headed south to McMinn Central. The Midway girls started slowly and fell behind 1-0. Then, in the top of third, a Borum lead-off single and a single by Hayley Patterson put two runners on for Midway. Borum would score on a sacrifice fly by Alex Coffman, then Krystal Rue got hit by a pitch to load the bases. Colyer came up big when she drove the ball hard to left center field for 2 RBIs, and Midway finished the inning with a 3-1 lead. In the bottom of the fourth, McMinn Central tied the game again, after an error and a bunt led to two Central runners crossing home plate. In the fifth inning, Midway would get two more when Coffman singled and Rue roped the ball to left center field. Colyer was put out at first as part of a fielder’s choice play, but Coffman scored. Kati Alexander then got a big hit to score Rue. The Lady Waves led 5-3. The Midway lead would hold, but barely. The bottom of the seventh was the most nerve racking half-inning of the year. McMinn Central would score one, and had the tying run on third base with two outs. Michele Walden fielded a ground ball at third base, then made a perfect throw to first for the long awaited final out. Midway got the win 5-4 in a great game to watch.
The Lady Waves will be at home on Thursday and Friday. The girls will be playing Wartburg on Thursday. On Friday, the Lady Waves will host a big rematch with the Kingston Lady Jackets. Midway won the first meeting with Kingston 3-1.