Pitching, defense lift Lady Ads back to state
You would expect senior staff pitching ace Avery Flatford to be clutch.
Well, defense also helped the Farragut softball team make five early runs stand up, as the Lady Admirals (39-3-1) returned to Murfreesboro this week to defend their state championship after blanking Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett 5-0 Saturday evening, May 21, in an East Sectional showdown at FHS’s Bellamy Field.
Top defensive plays included second baseman Emily Musco’s diving stop of a ball up the middle to get a force out at second, and shortstop Ava Guzowski’s alert play to field a deflected grounder and record an out — with a nice scoop of the throw by first baseman Hailey Nichols. “We had some amazing plays,” FHS head coach Nick Green said.
Flatford pitched the full seven innings, allowing just two hits with 14 strikeout and just two walks.
“I was amped up on energy today. ... I knew my defense,” Flatford, a lefty, said.
Lauren Brakovec’s single along with a walk, hit batter, two errors and a pass ball allowed four FHS runs to score in the first inning.
Brakovec’s RBI single in the second inning scored Addison Pressley.
“It’s a bitter-sweet feeling,” Brakovec, a senior designated player, said about the last home game in her career.
Autumn Caywood added a double. Vivian Boles singled.
“I’m just glad we were able to pull through,” said Caywood, senior catcher.
