Note to Lady Waves fans: If you didn’t get a chance to read the season preview by Shawn Renfro, look on the right side of the SORSN homepage, click on Softball and then click Highlights. The article is about the fourth one down, and the headline is “Lady Waves Softball – 2009 Preview.” I don’t think this story ever made the front page, and I’m not sure many of you faithful readers realized it was there.
For many years, the Rockwood Lady Tigers have been the Lady Waves’ biggest obstacle in the path to the District Championship. Last year, Harriman slipped into contention by beating Rockwood in both of the regular season games between the two. However, Rockwood bested the Lady Devils in the postseason, and it was once again the Lady Tigers whom Midway had to beat to get the district 3A crown.
The Lady Waves got the district portion of the 2009 season off to a good start by defeating the Lady Tigers on consecutive nights this past Monday and Tuesday. Midway traveled to Rockwood on Monday and handed the Lady Tigers an 8-2 loss. The Lady Waves would get two runs in the first inning and two more in the fifth. Rockwood did put a scare into the Green faithful by scoring two runs in the bottom of the sixth. With a 4-2 lead, however, the Lady Waves would open the flood gates and add four more runs in the top of the seventh. That put the lead out of reach for the Rockwood girls.
Alex Coffman started the first inning off with a single, then stole second base. Krystal Rue would then knock a long shot to right field and score Coffman. Hannah Colyer singled to score Rue, and Midway had a 2-0 lead. The Lady Waves would leave runners on base in the next three innings, but could not push a runner across home plate until the fifth frame. That’s when Rue ripped a shot to right center and turned a double into a triple with some impressive base running. Colyer would drive Rue in once more with another single, giving the Waves a 3-0 lead. Freshman Kayla Roberts, who was Colyer’s courtesy runner, would steal second and score on a long sacrifice fly by Kati Alexander. After five innings, it was Midway 4, Rockwood 0.
In the bottom of the sixth, Rockwood would rally with a leadoff bunt and two sharp singles to right field. The Lady Tigers ended the inning with two runs on the board and a lot of momentum. The Lady Waves, however, would answer in grand fashion. In the top of the seventh inning, leadoff batter Colyer doubled. After a walk by Michele Walden, Kati Alexander would hit a big single to right field. That scored Ainsley Presswood, who was running for Colyer. Next up was Paige Moree, who would come through with a big stroke to right center that scored Walden and Alexander. Moree would move to third when Taylor Narramore was thrown out on a fielder’s choice play at first. Moree then scored on a single by freshman Danielle “Dee” Borum. When the damage was complete, Midway held a 8-2 lead. Colyer would return to mop up the last inning, where Rockwood never threatened. Colyer pitched the complete game. She finished with 12 strikeouts and allowed only three hits and two walks.
Stay tuned to SORSN for the rundown of the home game in the series, and don’t forget to check out the Season Preview on the Highlights page.