Go to the homepage for the Sylva Herald and Ruralite

Lady Mustangs claim first conference win
SM Smoky Mountain catcher Tori Kelly tags out a Tuscola runner at the plate in Friday's 5-0 softball victory. - Herald photo by Carey Phillips

Smoky Mountain won its first Mountain Athletic Conference softball game of the season Friday by blanking Tuscola 5-0 at Junaluska Elementary School.

Kayla Duvall pitched a three-hitter. She walked four, hit a batter and struck out one.

"I was real proud of them," Coach Pam Hyatt said. "It seemed they were more confident hitting the ball, and our defense was great. It finally came together. I told them after the game to enjoy it. I'd been looking for this all year."

The Lady Mustangs (4-8, 1-8) played an errorless game. Hyatt singled out Brandy Farmer for making an outstanding defensive play in right field.

After missing out on a couple of scoring opportunities, SM pushed two runs across the plate in the fifth. Bonnie Claxton and Jessica Jones both singled and scored on RBI singles by Tori Kelly and Farmer.

Katie Crisp doubled in the sixth and eventually scored as part of a double steal with Jones for a 3-0 lead.

The Lady Mustangs added two runs in the seventh. Kelly singled, stole second and scored on Kat Quinn's base hit. Quinn came home on an error.

Kelly, Farmer, Quinn and Crisp all had two hits.

The Lady Mustang JVs fell to 0-8 with an 8-5 loss at Webster. The tying run was on base when the game ended.

"We played solid defense," Coach Amanda Queen said. "We only had three errors."

Ashley Stewart and Ale Ensley were named players of the game.

Stewart was three of three at the plate. She pitched a complete game and gave up just two earned runs.

Ensley was cited for her defense at shortstop.

Ashley Fitzgerald and Ashley Moore were both one of three.

Back to Sports: 05/01/03.