Dyer County softball rolls past Dyersburg

 

Jason Peevyhouse

Editor, JP Productions Sports

Dyer County’s softball team bounced back from its late-inning loss earlier in the week and got off to a 10-run start in the top of the first, opening district play with a 24-2 win over Dyersburg at Doug French Field on Thursday night.

The Choctaw offense was in control from the get-go. Kierstyn Ray was hit by a pitch then moved up a base on a Katie Beth Caldwell single. Emma Wray reached safely on a fielder’s choice then Rylee Key drew a bases-loaded walk to put Dyer County on the board. Molly Kate Woody singled in two then Key scored on a passed ball. Wood also scored on a passed ball moments later. Two batters later, Ray cleared the bases with an inside-the-park grand slam to put Dyer County up by nine before a Key doubled gave the Choctaws a 10-0 lead after one.

The Lady Trojans looked to answer in their half of the first. Avery Hicks singled with one out then Lilly Kate Jones followed two batters later with a single to put Hicks on third with two out. But, a dribbler down the first base line ended the Dyersburg threat in the bottom of the first.

Dyer County tacked on two more in the top of the first with a Ray single then another on a Caldwell base hit. Ray then scored on a flyball to right field before Key tacked on another run with a base hit to put the Choctaws in control 15-0.

After Ava Hart and the Dyer County defense worked around a one-out walk in the bottom of the second, the Choctaws put nine more runs on the board to go ahead 24-0 heading into the bottom of the third.

The Lady Trojan bats came to live in the bottom of the third. Chelby Jordan singled to open the frame and was the first five straight singles in the inning. Kyleigh Littles and Jones recorded RBI base hits during the streak to give Dyersburg its two runs for the day before the Dyer County defense got two pop ups and a ground out to end the threat and seal the win.

Caldwell went 4-for-4 with four singles and three RBI. Meanwhile, White had a double and two singles. But, when it came to driving in runs, leadoff batter Ray led the way with a homer and a single while driving in six. Key added a double and a single while Rogers added two singles.

Hart picked up the win, allowing two runs on seven hits with one strikeout in the victory.

Jones led the way for Dyersburg at the plate with a pair of singles and an RBI while Hicks added two base hits.

Izzie Odom took the loss for Dyersburg.

Dyer County has a quick turnaround as the Choctaws head to for the Riverdale Classic with games against Page (4 p.m.) and Normal West, Ill. (6 p.m.). Meanwhile, Dyersburg travels to Ripley to play South Side on Saturday at noon then Ripley at 4 p.m. as part of the Ripley playday.

Coverage of this story is brought to you by: