One year and six days. That’s how long the Lady Waves had waited for the opportunity to regain their Region crown. One year and six days ago, the Coalfield Lady Jackets won the 2009 Region title by beating the Lady Waves 1-0 at Coalfield. Prior to that day, Midway had held the title for three straight years. Ever since that day, every Lady Wave player, coach and fan had wanted that title back. After winning their respective districts and their respective region semifinals, the Lady Waves and the Lady Jackets had set the stage for the big rematch. That rematch took place on Wednesday evening at Midway.
The weather couldn’t have been better. The crowd of spectators was large and rowdy. And the softball was thrilling.
Taking the pitching plate for Midway was freshman Alex Richardson. The Lady Waves got off to a bit of a rocky start. After two singles, a hit batter and a walk, the Lady Jackets were on the board, 1-0. In the bottom, Coalfield’s All-State pitcher, Lindsey Fadnek, started out on fire. Only three Lady Wave batters came to the plate in the opening inning, and two struck out.
The Midway defense again had a tough time in the second frame, committing two errors. Fortunately for Midway, left fielder Haley Parks made a great back-up play and gunned down a Coalfield runner on her way to the plate. Catcher Winky Stansbury made a nice catch and a very stiff tag to complete the play. In the bottom of the second, things started going the Lady Waves’ way. Richardson hit a high fly ball to right center field, and a miscommunication between the Lady Jackets put her on second base. Next, second baseman Taylor Narramore drew a walk. Then, short stop Hayley Patterson made it to first on a dropped third strike, and the bases were loaded with no outs. That’s when right fielder Paige Moree came to the plate. Moree gave the Lady Waves their first hit of the game, when she slapped the ball into center field. The Midway crowd went wild as first Richardson, then Narramore crossed home plate. 2-1, Lady Waves!
The lead didn’t last long. A hit and two walks loaded the bases for Coalfield in the third inning. After that, an infield ground out scored a run and put the game even at 2-2. In the bottom of the third, Richardson’s bat managed a single, but Fadnek continued churning out strike outs.
The fourth was scoreless for both teams. Midway’s defense had settled down and played solidly. The Fadnek strikeouts also kept coming.
In the top of the fifth, senior Michelle Walden moved to pitcher. Richardson took her place at first base. The Lady Waves again had a rough inning on defense. An error, a walk and a couple of hits gave the Lady Jackets a 5-2 lead. It didn’t look so great for the Lady Waves. Then, the bottom of the fifth happened. Parks started out with a solid single. Richardson flied out to the outfield, but Parks tagged up and advanced to second base. Narramore then dropped a hit into the outfield. Parks moved to third, Narramore ended up on second and the Midway crowd was really getting revved up. Patterson then came up and laid down a bunt, which Coalfield mishandled. That left the bases loaded for Midway. Moree came to plate. She had already come through in a big way earlier in the game, when she had knocked in both of Midway’s runs. Could she do it again? Parks eased the tension a little, when she stole home on a passed ball. 5-3, Coalfield. Fadnek delivered another pitch to Moree, and she smoked it into center field. Narramore and Patterson crossed the plate, and it was once again a tied ball game!
In the top of the sixth, the Lady Jackets singled with one out. However, the next batter hit to Patterson, who stepped on second base and fired a perfect throw to Richardson on first. Double play, Midway! In the bottom of the sixth, the Lady Waves needed to score to put the pressure on Coalfield. Center fielder Danielle Borum laid down a great bunt and beat out the throw to get on first base. Parks came through again with a big double. Richardson followed by reaching base on an error. That error also allowed Borum to score. 6-5, Lady Waves! Narramore came back up and reached base on a fielder’s choice play, which also scored Parks. 7-5, Lady Waves. Patterson laid down another bunt. She was thrown out, but she had batted in Richardson. 8-5, Lady Waves.
The Midway fans breathed a little easier now. Not a lot, just a little. The pressure was now on the Lady Jackets. Down three, they had only one chance to tie or take the lead. Walden walked the first batter, but struck out the next. Coalfield’s lead off hitter was next, and she popped out to Patterson. The Lady Waves needed one more out. The pitch, the swing, contact. It’s a grounder. Third baseman Hali Morris cleanly fields it. The throw to Richardson at first. She’s out! The Lady Waves are once again Region Champions! Final score: Lady Waves 8, Coalfield 5.
It was an unbelievable game. The last three times these teams had met, the final score was 1-0. What a change in this one. We at Midway respect Coalfield softball. The Lady Jackets have been worthy opponents for the last few years. We especially appreciate the talent of Lindsey Fadnek, who threw for ten strike outs in this game, while giving up five hits and three walks. She has been a tough adversary. For us at Midway, it’s just good to see the Region Title back South of the River. Our girls have worked hard for the past year, and they deserve it.
Midway’s top hitters for the game included Paige Moree (2-4, 4 RBI), Haley Parks (2-4) and Danielle Borum (1-2). The Lady Waves will now be at home for their Sectional Game on Saturday evening. The opponents will be the Unaka Lady Rangers. The Lady Waves have had some memorable games with Unaka in past seasons. A victory on Saturday would mean a return trip to Murfreesboro for the State Tournament.