STONEY CREEK – The North Greene softball team used big hits and the big arm of Hannah Brooks to capture its fourth straight District 1-1A championship on Thursday night, taking down Cloudland 7-1 at Unaka High School.
“We got off to a good start, well, after the first pitch of the game anyway,” North Greene coach Avery Weems said. “I thought Hannah threw a good game and we put some runs on the board early. The defense played well, and it was all around good effort.”
With the win North Greene advances to the Region 1-1A Tournament and will be back at home on Monday to face Hancock County in the semifinals. If the Lady Huskies keep winning they have the opportunity to stay at home until the state tournament.
“It’s good to know that we get to play at home as long as we win. It starts again on Monday and we put ourselves in a good spot, because you definitely don’t want to have to go to Cosby,” Weems said.
Thursday got off to an ominous start for the Lady Huskies when Eowyn McCoury swatted the first pitch of the contest up the hill and over the fence in left field for a quick 1-0 lead.
After that the Lady Highlanders had a tough time touching Brooks’ deliveries and she finished the night with 10 strikeouts, two walks and three hits allowed on her way to earning Tournament MVP honors.
“I just said ok, I’ve got to change my mindset and throw different pitches. I threw a first-pitch fastball, they were on it, they were ready,” Brooks said. “They are adjusting to every pitch, and I felt like I had to keep it outside. Keeping it away seemed to work. It can be pretty tough to throw to them because we have played so often and they know what to expect.”
Over the final six innings Cloudland earned just one hit and only put one runner in scoring position. The Lady Highlanders never touched third base again.
North Greene took the lead at 2-1 in the second inning. Brooks started things by flying a double into right field. Next Matti Phillips was hit by a pitch. Addi Dean knocked in both runs when she traced the chalk with a groundball that rolled into deep left field.
The Lady Huskies blew the game open in the third inning by mixing small ball and big swings. Eva Leonard led off the side by legging out a bunt single. Tralyn Southerland stepped in the box next and rocketed a line drive out of the park in left field.
Josie Graham was up next and surprised the Lady Highlanders with another bunt single. She stole second and third, and when the throw to third missed its target she scored to put North Greene on top 5-1.
Brooks then pushed the lead to 6-1 with a solo home run to left-center. In the inning North Greene got three bunt singles, two home runs and a double.
“Those girls showed their versatility there,” Weems said. “Some of them are blessed with great speed, and we have to take advantage of that. Then those home runs were good swings that kind of powered us. That was awesome from those girls.”
In the fourth frame North Greene added one more run. Kinlea Eastep put down a bunt and reached on an error. Leonard put her on third with a sacrifice fly and Southerland scored her with a soft line drive through the right side.
Southerland was North Greene’s top bat on Thursday, going 3-for-3 with a home run, and three RBIs. Brooks was 2-for-2 with a home and a double. Dean went 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs. Leonard was 2-for-4 with a double. North Greene finished the night with 12 hits.
“It was excellent to see the girls hit the ball hard because we have struggled to hit the ball against their pitcher,” Weems said. “We have found some success with our approach by drawing walks, but we haven’t hit it real well against her. That was really good for the girls. They were aggressive, jumping on strikes when they got them. That led to some big hits in big spots.”
The win wraps up a district tournament in which North Greene outscored its opponents 30-2.
“It feels good to win the district championship, this is three in a row for me,” Brooks said. “Our team came to play. We knew we had to come out hitting this week, and when we score I get more comfortable and feel like i throw a lot better.”
Brooks was not only named the tournament MVP, she also earned District 1-1A Player of the Year honors. Phillips, Graham and Charlie Turnmire earned All-District honors. Phillips, Southerland and Dean were named to the All-Tournament team.
