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By Jim Steele
steele@mckenziebanner.com |
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McKenzie's last regular-season home softball game of
2004 was a thriller, to be sure.The Lady Rebels and
Riverside were locked up in a scoreless draw and neither
team had real opportunities to do any damage...until the
seventh inning. That's when junior Carol Perritt, with
one swing of the bat, laced the game-winning RBI single to
top the Lady Panthers 1-0.
It was a much-needed district victory for McKenzie.
Riverside mounted a bit of a threat in its half of the
seventh. The Lady Panthers had successive singles in the
frame, but good defense by the Lady Rebels killed the
threat. Centerfielder Courtney Wiggins gunned down a base
runner on a force play for the first out, shortstop Brooke
Cole ended the threat with a double play. She caught a pop
fly and doubled the runner off first for the final out.
That's when McKenzie put on its rally cap. NiCole West led
the inning off with a walk and took third when Courtney
Creasy reached on an error. With runners on first and
third, Perritt rocketed a deep fly ball to left field. The
shot plated West and the Lady Rebels won the game.
Perritt had both McKenzie hits in the game. Junior
Brittany Carpenter pitched well, scattering four hits and
striking out five. In District 11AA play:
Lexington 3
McKenzie 0 The Lady Rebels suffered one bad inning and
couldn't capitalize on breaks as the Lady Tigers stunned
visiting McKenzie. "It was a well-played game by both
teams and both pitchers pitched well," said McKenzie coach
Randy Thomas. "We had a couple of opportunities and didn't
take advantage. They did take advantage of their
opportunities." Brittany Carpenter, Jalisa Brown, NiCole
West, Courtney Creasy, Lauren Perritt and Courtney Wiggins
each had a hit for the Lady Rebels. In the Tom Corbitt
Tournament at Waverly:
Henry Co. 2
McKenzie 0 A red-hot Henry County team, featuring
fireballer Michelle McWherter, limited McKenzie to two
hits as the Lady Patriots won a close game. McWherter
fanned 12 McKenzie hitters. But Lady Rebel hurler NiCole
West pitched a one-hitter and struck out six in the
hard-luck loss. Carpenter and Cole were each 1-3 in the
game.
Chester Co. 2
McKenzie 1 Perhaps a future regional foe if McKenzie
takes care of business, Chester County struggled, but
topped the Lady Rebels. Of the four Lady Eagle hits,
three came in the first inning, accounting for both runs.
Brooke Cole had an RBI single in the first inning. After
that, both defenses took over. McKenzie had runners on
second and third in the third inning but could not drive
them in.
Murfreesboro-Riverdale 5
McKenzie 1 The Lady Rebels faced 3A Riverdale, a school
that has won 37 games and enrolls 2,313 students, and held
their own. McKenzie even led 1-0 before a tough inning
essentially broke the Lady Rebels' back. Riverdale
benefited from a two-out grand slam homer to take a 4-1
lead and later tacked on another run. Carol Perritt
singled while Courtney Wiggins had an RBI base hit.
McKenzie 5
Clarksville-Northwest 1 Brittany Carpenter worked three
innings and struck out four for the win while NiCole West
worked three innings and struck out four for the save as
the Lady Rebels cracked the win column. Brooke Cole
slammed her first homer of the year to lead the McKenzie
hit parade. Carpenter, West, Creasy and Lauren Perritt
each singled to lead the Lady Rebels. McKenzie is 18-11
overall, 4-4 in district play and has wrapped up second
place. Thursday, Lexington visits for a 5 p.m. start to
open the 11AA softball tournament. |
