Undefeated despite challenges
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Hailey Nichols gets a hit to help the Lady Admirals get on base Thursday, April 7, against Maryville. - Photos by Tony Christen
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Avery Flatford pitches in the same game, which the Lady Ads won 15-5, keeping alive their winning streak. - Photos by Tony Christen
Cold and rain limited Farragut High School’s softball team schedule to only two games last week, but the weather couldn’t prevent yet another undefeated week.
Tuesday, April 5, the Lady Admirals defeated Heritage High School 8-4 at home.
FHS’s Ace Avery Flatford started and ran into trouble in the fifth, giving up a three-run double as Heritage overcame a four-run deficit to tie it at four.
But, Farragut promptly scored four in the bottom half of the inning and prevailed.
Emma MacTavish came on in relief to pick up the win, giving up one run in two and two-thirds innings.
Then, Laney Shrader had the big blow for FHS, hitting a three-run homer in the fifth. Ava Guzowski went 3-4 with a double and a run scored, and Sarah Livingston was 2-4 and had a double and three RBI.
“It was a messy game,” Lady Admiral’s coach Nick Green said. “As soon as the game started, it got to that mistiness. Just a cold, miserable game in terms of playing conditions. All in all we came out on top.”
Thursday, April 7, against Maryville High School, Farragut returned to common form, winning 15-5.
It was another rough outing for Flatford as she gave up four runs without recording an out. The Lady Rebels’ runs came from two walks, two hit batters and a home run.
MacTavish again came on in relief and pitched all five innings, giving up one run and picking up the win.
“(MacTavish) was pretty much lights out all night,” Green said.
After Maryville tied it at four in the first, Farragut scored five in the second. Six more runs by the fifth invoked the run rule.
Guzowski was a big bat for Farragut, going 2-2, with a three-run home run, two runs scored and six RBI. Livingston was 3-3 with a double and an RBI, and Autumn Caywood went 2-3 with a double, home run and two RBI.
Farragut’s Lady Admirals now are 21-1, 6-0 in District 4-4A. Another undefeated week guarantees a district title.
Regarding Flatford’s struggles, Green replied, “We’ll see what we can do.
“We’re obviously concerned,” he said. “We got time. We’ll let her figure it out. We’ll help her figure it out.
“She’s a great teammate,” Green said. “She’s great at supporting her teammates and fellow pitchers. To look in the dugout you wouldn’t even know she had pitched.”
