A West Hall rally denied the Lady Cats.
Gilmer continued its region softball slate last week. After Monday’s game at Wesleyan was rained out, the Cats made their way to take on the Spartans Thursday.
Gilmer’s runs came steadily through the first four innings, while West Hall did its damage late. WHHS erased the Cats’ four-run lead, and held off GHS in the seventh inning for a 5-4 win.
The Lady Cats racked up 15 hits, and they plated a run in each of their first four at-bats.
In the first, singles by Zoey Woody, Jaylee McDaniel and Phoenix Addie loaded the bases. Gracie Morrow’s two-out hit to center put GHS on the board.
Gilmer took advantage of some two-out magic in the second inning as well. This time, Amayah Jones singled and then Sarah Dale drew a walk. Consecutive hits by Woody and McDaniel followed, and the latter moved GHS ahead, 2-0.
Addie walked to get the third inning going, and a two-out triple by KateLynn Carder plated the Cats’ third run. In the fourth, Jones led off the inning with a triple but was picked off at third.
Once again with two outs, Woody collected her third hit of the game ahead of McDaniel’s walk. Addie’s single improved Gilmer’s lead to 4-0.
The Spartans got on the board in their half of the inning. Back-to-back singles were followed by a ground out to cut the Cats’ lead to three.
In the sixth inning, WHHS added four more runs to surge ahead. Consecutive GHS errors and a walk loaded the bases. A third error scored two runs, and a fourth error evened the score at 4-4.
A strikeout finally gave West Hall its first out. An ensuing fielder’s choice made the score 5-4 in the Spartans’ favor.
GHS was poised for a comeback in the seventh. Morrow stood on third with one out. A.J. Allen’s grounder was fielded by West Hall’s shortstop, and Morrow was thrown out at home. Allen stole second, but the Cats were unable to take advantage.
Lily Fortune pitched five innings, and one of the five Spartan runs was earned. She struck out five and gave up seven hits. McDaniel pitched an inning and struck out one.
The Cats are 0-13 overall and continue region play today at Dawson County. GHS travels to White County Thursday, and both games are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.