Lady Hawks stifle BHS, then fall to Farragut 9-1
KNOXVILLE — Gracie Gray was a force in the pitcher’s circle and at the plate as Hardin Valley Academy picked up a District 4-4A victory, a 7-0 shutout against Bearden Tuesday, March 28, at BHS’s Kim Hazelwood Field.
“I felt good out there today,” said Gray, who pitched a three-hit shutout against the Lady Bulldogs (2-4, 0-2 in District 4-4A). “I had been nervous, but I wasn’t nervous today.”
Gray surrendered just four hits with six strikeouts.
At the plate, Gray’s third-inning grand slam highlighted a five-run flurry. Ayla Perry’s infield single and Avery Thrift’s RBI single helped.
The Lady Hawks (5-4, 2-2) extended their edge to 6-0 in the sixth on an RBI single by Natalie Nettles. HVA would add another run in the seventh when Thrift singled home Mackenzie Mansell, who walked.
While Farragut’s third, fourth and fifth hitters in the line-up are especially potent, many other Lady Ads came through to help beat rival Hardin Valley Academy 9-1 at FHS’s Bellamy Field Thursday evening, March 30.
Rilee Kate Ragan (RBI triple, two-RBI double and an RBI single), Anna French (RBI double and a triple), Amelia Dorset (RBI single and a double) and Laney Shrader (single, RBI) led the offense in this District 4-4A showdown of rivals.
Winning pitcher Emma MacTavish, junior ace, allowed six hits and one earned run — striking out eight. FHS’s record was 13-3 overall, 3-1 in district, starting the week.
The Lady Hawks (5-4, 2-2) got a double and solo homer from Jenna Hagee, along with singles by Ayla Perry, Gracie Gray, Avery Thrift and Kaitlynn Mann.
