Greeneville’s softball team put together a productive weekend at the 40th annual Tiny Day/Red Edmonds Tournament, finishing 2-2 in pool play and earning the No. 1 seed in the C-Division. The Lady Devils overcame a slow start in bracket play to edge Union County, 4-3.
“I’m proud of them,” said head coach Lilly Million. “It was a pretty slow start today, and I completely understand it with prom yesterday, but they came out, did what they needed to do, and got the job done.”
Greeneville collected eight hits in the win, led by all-tournament selections Brylee Tullock and Kaley Garland, who each had two hits. Tullock recorded a triple and a single, while Garland drove in two runs with a double and a single.
Union County jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Madalyn Wolski led off with a walk and eventually scored after McKinley Wolski reached on a throwing error. McKinley advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on an Addy Hamic sacrifice bunt.
The Lady Patriots added another run in the second. After back-to-back singles from Kinston Brown and Krissy Dyer, both runners advanced on a wild pitch. With one out, Allie Lay drove in Brown to extend the lead to 3-0.
From there, Greeneville pitcher Brynlee Jones—named the division’s MVP—took control. She allowed just three runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out 14 and walking two.
“By the end of the game she was really throwing it,” Million said. “Her velocity and spin picked up, and she settled in and figured out what she needed to do. I didn’t realize she had that many strikeouts, but I’m really proud of her.”
Greeneville got on the board in the third inning with a controversial break that might have been the jumpstart they needed. Kinslee Lewandowski drew a leadoff walk but was erased when Tullock reached on on a fielder’s choice. With two outs Garland sent a deep fly ball to left that bounced over the fence for a ground-rule double, allowing Tullock to score from first and cut the deficit to 3-1.
After the inning ended, Union County questioned the ruling on the play. Following a lengthy discussion and consultation, officials determined the call would stand.
The Lady Devils continued to chip away, scoring again in the fifth. Tullock led off with a triple and came home on Garland’s RBI single to make it 3-2.
Greeneville completed the comeback in the sixth. Gabby Atchison reached on a one-out single, and Abi Deeble followed with a base hit to right, moving Atchison to third. An errant throw from the outfield allowed Atchison to score the tying run while Deeble advanced to third. Moments later, Jamie Jackson executed a perfect sacrifice bunt to bring home Deeble with the eventual game-winning run.
Greeneville, now 14-14-1 on the season, will host two games this week at Hardin Park. They will face the Grainger Lady Grizzlies in conference action on Tuesday before welcoming cross-town rivals South Greene on Friday. Both games are scheduled to start at 5:30.
Polk County 5, Chuckey-Doak 4
In the D-Division on Sunday Chuckey-Doak fell to Polk County 5-4.
Jayden Myers led Chuckey-Doak’s offense by going 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs. Madisyn Miller went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Hayleigh Seidl was 2-for-3.
In the circle Elizabeth Manuel struck out one, walked two and allowed six hits.
Polk County 11, West Greene 5
In the D-Division finals on Sunday West Greene fell to Polk County 11-5.
At the plate Abby Cluesman was 2-for-4 with doubles and two RBIs for the Lady Buffaloes. Autumn Carter went 2-for-4 with and RBI. Abagale Jackson, Alexis Cutshall and Kaylee Willett all had singles.
Cluesman took the loss. In 5.1 innings she struck out five, walked six and allowed four hits. She only allowed two earned runs.
