After a disappointing loss with a shorthanded roster early in the season the North Greene softball team was looking for revenge on Tuesday night, and the Lady Huskies handed West Greene a 14-3 loss on senior night.
North Greene coach Avery Weems said, “We lost to them the first time, anytime we play county teams it’s important to us. It’s county pride, wanting to win those games. There is a little pride there, I would not necessarily call it revenge, but we certainly wanted to get it.”
Charlie Turnmire stepped inside the circle for the the Lady Huskies and turned in a gem. Turnmire sat down the Lady Buffs in order in the top of the first inning. She finished the day with eight strikeouts, two walks and three hits allowed.
In the bottom of the first North Greene’s Eva Leonard reached on an error and snuck into second base. Josie Graham smacked an RBI double to left scoring Leonard. Turnmire beat out and infield single, Kylee Listek came on as a courtesy runner for Turnmire and stole second, putting runners at second and third. Graham and Listek scored on error and giving the Lady Huskies a 3-0 lead after one inning of play.
In the second inning the Lady Buffs had a golden opportunity. Kaylee Willett reached on an error, Aubree Everett was hit by a pitch and Abagale Jackson singled up the middle to load the bases with no outs.
Turnmire then took it upon herself and worked her way out of the jam by striking out the next three batters on nine pitches and preserve the lead.
The Lady Buffs were able to plate a run in the top of the third inning when Autumn Carter reached on an error as did Alexis Cutshall. Carter scored on a ground ball off the bat of Willett for an RBI and Willett was safe at first on the error to put runners at first and third with only one out. The Lady Buffs once again let an excellent opportunity slip through their finger when the attempt to double steal backfired. Cutshall was gunned down at second and and Willett was out at the plate for an inning ending double play.
The double play sparked the Lady Huskies in the bottom half as they struck for seven runs. Both Graham and Turnmire walked and both scored in front of Addi Dean’s two-run single. Dean made it to third on the throw. Destiny Fillers singled home Dean and Kinlea Eastep doubled with shot down the line to left field. Leonard brought home Fillers and Eastep with a bloop single. Tralyn Southerland tripled in the gap between right and center and scored on a wild throw for run number seven of the inning and for a 10-1 lead after three innings.
Turnmire sat the Lady Buffs down in order again in the top of the fourth. The Lady Huskies added to their lead in the bottom of the fourth when Turnmire looped a single to short center. Matti Phillips was hit by a pitch and Dean drew a walk to load the bases. Fillers came through again with a two-run single up the middle scoring Turnmire and Phillips. Pinch hitter Chloe Keys knocked home Dean. Baylee Lutz was brought on to pinch hit and delivered with a double to left that scored Fillers and the Lady Huskies were in control at 14-1 after four innings.
The Lady Buffs managed to score two in the top of the fifth. Victoria Ramsey walked and Abby Cluesman reached on a fielder’s choice. Cutshall drove both Ramsey and Cluesman in with double to left-center field, but the Lady Buffs could get no closer and the game ended via run rule at 14-3 after five innings.
Turnmire only gave up three hits in five innings to pick up the win, she also struck out eight and had two hits at the plate. Destiny Fillers also had two hits and three RBI’s, Dean and Leonard both had two RBI’s to pace the Lady Huskies.
Amanda Owens, Cutshall and Jackson each had hits, while Cutshall also had two RBI’s for the Lady Buffaloes.
