The North Greene Lady Huskies traveled to Cocke County as the number 2 seed from District 1 to open up region play against the number 1 seed from District 2, the Cosby Lady Eagles. Both teams looked to advance to the region finals and guarantee their opportunity for at least two more shots at taking the next step towards a state tournament appearance.
The Lady Eagles got on the board in the bottom of the first as North Greene committed two costly errors to start the game. Kylee Cornwell reached on the first error, but was quickly erased when Chloe Hance grounded into a fielder’s choice. A second error would extend the inning and allow Ella Hicks to reach base. Shylee Weeks then stepped to the plate and laced two out single to left driving in the two unearned runs, and giving the home team the 2-0 lead.
After both teams were held scoreless in the second, North Greene rebounded to push three runs across the pate in the top of the third and take the 3-2 lead. Jourdanne Marr started the inning off with a walk and advanced to third on a Matti Phillips double. The Eagle defense erased Marr at home as she tried to advance on a ground ball by Hannah Brooks, but Phillips was able to score as Brooks took second on another putout attempt. Brooks then came around to score on a fly-ball double by Haylee Bailey, who also came in to score on a Cosby error. Loren Blevins looked to extend the Huskie lead with a triple, but she would be left stranded as Reece Michaels got Sweeten to fly out and end the inning.
In the bottom of the third, Reece Michaels advance to third on a three base error and scored to tie the game when Hance reached on an infield single.
The Lady Huskies took advantage of some of their opponent’s miscues to retake the lead 4-3 in the top of the fourth. Kaydence Marshall reached on a bunt single before advancing all the way to third on a Destiny Fillers’ sacrifice bunt. Marr stepped to the plate and laid down a bunt that was misplayed, allowing Marshall to come home with the go-ahead run.
Blevins, Bailey, Phillips, and Brooks accounted for eight of the Huskies’ nine hits. Brooks was equally impressive from the circle. She picked up the win, going the distance without surrendering an earned run while scattering 5 hits, walking 1, and collecting 9 strike-outs.
With the win, North Greene advances to the region finals against Cloudland. The game will be played at Unaka high school on Wednesday, with the winner earning the right to host the sectionals on Friday.
