Greeneville fought hard and erased a 4-0 deficit, but Science Hill’s four-run sixth inning was the difference maker as the Lady Toppers defeated the Lady Devils 8-4 on Thursday afternoon.
“Things didn’t go our way tonight. We came out ready to hit tonight and we strung hits together. I’m super proud of the way they came out attacking pitches,” Greeneville head coach Lily Million mentioned. “Things just didn’t go our way. Things that are completely out of control. Calls didn’t go our way, balls didn’t fall our way, but we can’t control that. Overall, it’s not what we wanted but it’s not super frustrating. They played well and it just didn’t go our way.”
It took a while for Greeneville to get comfortable, but when they did, they pushed Science Hill to the limit and made them earn Thursday night’s win. Science Hill outhit Greeneville 9-to-6, but outhit them 4-to-1 in the final two innings. A huge difference maker in the final pair of innings was Science Hill’s switch from Piper Brewer to Isabel Meeks at pitcher. Meeks, an ETSU commit, shut the door on Greeneville and only allowed one hit and collected seven strikeouts in three innings of work.
The Lady Devils were led by Brylee Tullock’s multi-hit day. Tullock went 2-for-4 with two runs. Kaley Garland, Brynlee Jones, Baylee Ramsey, and Kinsley Lewandowski all collected a hit. Garland led Greeneville with two RBIs.
Kyleigh Metcalf was Science Hill’s leader on offense with a 2-for-3 day with three RBIs, three runs, and a walk.
Greeneville lost their 6th-straight and fell to 5-12-1 overall.
Science Hill started fast with a 2-0 lead in the first. Ella Meeks walked and scored on Metcalf’s RBI-double. Metcalf stole third and then scored on an Isabel Meeks groundout.
The score doubled to 4-0 with Annabelle Eanes’ two-RBI double in the third inning.
Greeneville was able to heavily cut into the lead with a three-run third. Brylee Tullock and Baylee Ramsey delivered back-to-back singles with one out. Tullock’s killer instinct helped set up the scoring play to follow next. She dashed from first to third on Ramsey’s single and allowed Ramsey to move to second during the throw to third. Kayley Garland’s two-RBI double drove both runner’s home. Garland helped deliver a pair of runs and scored one herself with Brynlee Jones’ RBI-single.
The Lady Devils didn’t score again until the bottom of the fifth. Brylee Tullock led off with a single to right and advanced to second on an error in the field. Tullock timed up the throw from catcher-to-pitcher perfectly and stole third three pitches later. A wild pitch two pitches later tied the game with Tullock’s quick instincts kicking in.
“Softball is such a contagious sport. When one goes, the next one goes and that’s what it was. And that’s the energy bringer on our team. Productive at bats and that’s what we did. When we string hits together and find ways on bases the energy increases because it’s a game of momentum,” Coach Million stated.
The game was tied 4-4 after five.
Science Hill made the decision to replace Piper Brewer with Isabel Meeks in the fifth inning. The switch was hard for Greeneville to adjust to and saw the Lady Devils only get one more hit the rest of the way.
The Lady Hilltoppers took control in the sixth. Reagan Carroll walked to leadoff the frame and dashed home from first on a base hit in the next at bat. Ella Meeks walked and set up Kyleigh Metcalf with a bases-clearing single and made it 7-4. Isabel Meeks drove Metcalf home next and capped off a 4-run frame.
Isabel Meeks struck out four of the final seven Lady Devils that stepped up to bat and effectively shut the door on their chances of a comeback.
The Lady Devils suffered an 8-4 loss in the end.
Greeneville has a quick turnaround with a short trip to Baileyton to play North Greene today at 2 PM. Coach Million explained what needs to change going into the matchup with the Lady Huskies.
“We’ve got to come in with a fresh mindset. Attack good pitches early, get on base, and do your job. It’ll go our way if we do that.”
