On Monday evening, the Lady Waves started the Regional round of the playoffs with a decisive win over the Oliver Springs Lady Bobcats. Despite a recent rash of injuries, Midway jumped out to a strong start, and they never looked back.
In the first inning, the Bobcats’ lead-off batter attempted a bunt, but it was cleanly fielded by freshman third baseman Hali Morris. Morris threw to Kati Alexander for the first out of the game. Senior pitcher Hannah Colyer recorded the second out, when she threw what would be the first of many strikeouts in this game. Oliver Springs did manage one hit in the inning, but the Lady Waves quickly recovered. Colyer caused the next batter to hit a grounder back to her, and then threw to first for the out. Midway got off to a good start in the bottom of the first, when catcher Krystal Rue singled to lead off. Alex Coffman, injured and playing shortstop, became a slap hitter for this game. Coffman proved she can hit from either side of the plate, as she slapped a change-up to reach base and move Rue over to second. Colyer came up next and lined a shot to center field. The ball was caught for an out, but Rue was able to tag up and run to third base. After Coffman stole second, Kati Alexander reached base on a fielder’s choice play. Oliver Springs attempted to get Rue coming home, but Rue was able to avoid the tag and score. That would prove to be the only run the Lady Waves would need. Second baseman Taylor Narramore came up next and added some insurance, though. Narramore hit a big single that brought Coffman and Alexander safely home. At the end of the first inning, Midway led, 3-0.
Colyer had warmed up by the time the top of the second came around. Three batters, three strikeouts. In the bottom of the inning, freshman outfielder Danielle Borum burned the Oliver Springs defense with a big shot to left center field. The ball landed just short of the warning track, and Borum got a double out of it. Borum moved to third on a Midway out, and Rue got her second hit of the contest to score Borum. After two innings, the Lady Waves held a 4-0 lead.
In the top of the third, it was once again three straight strikeouts for Colyer. By this time, most in attendance realized that Midway had this game well in hand. In the bottom of the third inning, Narramore got another hit when she drove the ball hard up the middle of the field. Outfielder Paige Moree hit a double over the head of the Oliver Springs left fielder, and Narramore moved to third. After a walk by Morris, Borum hit another monster blast to left field. The left fielder went way back to catch the ball, which otherwise would have hit the outfield fence. It was a sacrifice RBI for Borum, because Narramore tagged up and went home on the play. After three, it was 5-0, Lady Waves.
Oliver Springs showed a spark of offense in the top of the fourth. After Colyer’s seventh consecutive strikeout, the Lady Bobcats managed a double and a single. Colyer quickly recovered to strike out the next two batters. Krystal Rue hit another hard single to start the bottom of the frame, then stole second base. A hit by Colyer moved Rue to third. Then, Kati Alexander hit into another fielder’s choice, which resulted in another score by Rue. Moree reached base on an Oliver Springs error, which also resulted in a run by Kayla Roberts, who was running for Colyer. After four innings, Midway led, 7-0.
In the fifth, two Bobcat batters reached base on two Midway errors. The Lady Waves also showed some fine defensive play in the inning, though. For the first out of the inning, Rue made a nice throw to Morris, who tagged out an Oliver Springs runner trying to steal third base. Colyer fielded another bunt and threw to Narramore for the second out. Another Colyer strikeout ended the Oliver Springs threat. After Borum and Ashley Alexander walked in the bottom of the fifth, Rue smoked her fourth hit of the game down the third base line to score Borum. Alexander made it to third base, and Rue got to second. That extended Midway’s lead to 8-0, after five innings.
An Oliver Springs single and a Midway error put two more runners on in the top of the sixth, but three more Colyer strikeouts kept the Lady Bobcats off the score board. No Lady Waves reached base in the bottom of the inning.
In the top of the seventh, Oliver Springs went down in order. Another Colyer strikeout and a pop-out to Morris put two outs on the Lady Bobcats. Then, Colyer tossed one more strikeout to end this one with emphasis. Final: Midway 8, Oliver Springs 0.
Colyer was once again fantastic. Living up to her reputation, she threw for 16 strikeouts and no walks, giving up only four hits. Beset by injuries, the Lady Waves pulled together as a team and overcame a few errors to shut out Oliver Springs. The Midway girls also scored eight runs on a very good pitcher. Top performers at the plate included Krystal Rue (an amazing 4-4, 2RBIs), Taylor Narramore (2-4, 2 RBIs), and Danielle Borum (1-2, RBI).
The Lady Waves will now play for their fourth straight Region Championship. The Midway girls will have to go through the Coalfield Lady Jackets to get it. The last two meetings between these teams have been at Midway. Last year, the Lady Waves captured the Region trophy by defeating Coalfield, 3-0. Less than two weeks ago, Midway won a 1-0 thriller over the Lady Jackets. For this year’s Championship, the Lady Waves will have to travel to Coalfield. The game is set for 5:30 PM on Wednesday.