Brynlee Jones was dominant on Tuesday evening as she shut down Volunteer’s bats and used her own bat to spark Greeneville’s offense in a 6-0 win.
“The girls came out ready to play, and I was really pleased with that,” Greeneville coach Lilly Million said. “I felt more relaxed today than I typically do. It sure helps to jump in front early. They felt more like the ball team I know and I was super pleased with that.”
With the win Greeneville is now 3-1 in District 2-3A play which keeps them on pace for the top spot in the league. Grainger is 4-1 and will host the Lady Devils on Thursday.
“We tell them that these home conference games are must-win games. I’m so glad that they can out ready to play, because this is a really tough week. They have started off the week right with some good wins,” Million said.
From the circle Jones tossed a one-hitter with 10 strikeouts and five walks. In the shutout effort she struck out the first seven outs on Tuesday.
“I felt good today, all of my pitches were working and the ball was moving, and I had a good defense behind me,” Jones said. “My screwball was really moving in on their hands, that was really getting them.”
The Lady Devils’ bats wasted little time getting started and the first four batters they sent to the plate earned a hit. Brylee Tullock led off with a groundball through the left side and Baylee Ramsey followed with a hot shot that banged off the third baseman.
After a delayed double steal moved up the runners Kaley Garland sent a knuckler up the middle that allowed the first run of the day to cross the plate.
Jones stepped to the plate next and sent a moon shot to left field that snuck just over the fence and just inside the foul pole for a three-run home run that gave Greeneville a 4-0 lead.
“It felt really good seeing that go out,” Jones said. “Knowing that I started us up and got a four-run lead in the first inning felt really good. That helps me out pitching because I know I can play around with the ball a little bit and throw what I need to throw.”
The Lady Greene Devils pushed two more runs across the plate in the third inning. Ramsey led off the side by burning the left fielder with a double to the warning track. Garland stepped in the box next and repeated with a run-scoring double to the left side.
Brooke Parsley then bounced a ground ball straight up the middle to knock home Garland and increase the advantage to 6-0.
The top half of Greeneville’s lineup was plenty active on Tuesday, earning seven of the Lady Devils nine hits with all six RBIs and all six runs. Ramsey was 2-for-2 and reached base four times with a double and two runs scored. Garland was 2-for-4 with a double, and two RBIs. Jones was 1-for-2 with a three-run home run.
“The top half of the lineup today truly produced and that is why they are in the top half. They battled tough at bats and worked really hard,” Million said.
Volunteer’s best chance to score came in the fifth inning after Raylie Gray and Emersyn Templeton both walked. They moved up on a passed ball, but Jones was able to end the threat with a strikeout and an infield pop up.
The Lady Falcons broke up the no-hitter in the sixth inning when Maddie Holder sailed a fly ball to the deepest part of centerfield and just out of Ramsey’s reach. The Lady Devils were able to leave her stranded and keep the shutout going.
In the seventh inning Jones sat down the side in order, finishing the day with two more strikeouts.
“Brynlee was totally on today,” Million said. “She was working both sides of the plate and keeping them off balanced. Even when she did miss the defense was ready to back her up. I couldn’t be more pleased with our pitching and defense today.”
