Choctaws stay unbeaten in District 13-3A with win over Crockett County

 

Jason Peevyhouse

Editor, JP Productions Sports

After falling behind after a half inning to the Lady Cavaliers on Thursday evening in Newbern, the Dyer County softball team answered with four unanswered runs over the next three innings then tacked on a run in the fourth and fifth to take a 6-3 win over Crockett County in District 13-3A action.

Crockett County got on the board in the top of the first thanks to a double from Wesley Thornton which lead to a sacrifice fly from Kiyra Liggins two batters later to give the Lady Cavaliers a 1-0 lead after a half inning.

The Choctaws answered quickly. Kierstyn Ray got aboard via a single then stole second two batters later while Emma Wray worked a one-out walk. Rylee Key followed with a two-out double to plate a run then Allie Ables singled in another to give Dyer County a 2-1 lead following the first.

Choctaw pitcher Ava Hart gave up a leadoff single in the top of the second, then got the next three batters to get out of the frame.

The Dyer County offense helped out their starter with a run in the bottom of the frame. Natalie Armstrong reached on an error then scored on a Wray grounder to second for a fielder’s choice. Dyer County took a 3-1 lead into the top of the third.

With Hart given a breather, Molly Kate Woody worked through some early trouble in the top of the third, working around a Thornton single to lead off the frame then a walk to retire three of the next four batters and get out of the inning.

The Choctaws picked up another run in the bottom of the third as Armstrong singled in a run to push the Dyer County lead to 4-1 after three innings.

Back-to-back singles from Crockett County lead to another Lady Cavalier run as Thornton reached on an error to plate a run and cut the Dyer County lead to 4-2.

Key answered for the Choctaws in the bottom of the fourth, sending a 1-1 pitch over the left field fence for a solo homer. The senior first baseman’s round tripper pushed Dyer County’s lead to 5-2 after four frames.

Dyer County tacked on another insurance run in the bottom of the fifth with a two-out RBI single from Ray to give the Choctaws a 6-2 lead.

Crockett County got the run back in the top of the sixth. Thornton doubled then scored on a ground out later in the inning to trim Dyer County’s lead to 6-3 after five and a half innings.

Things remained interesting in the top of the seventh as Madison Sitts singled with one out then Fallon Beiard doubled after a Hart strikeout to give the Cavaliers runners at second and third with two outs. Though Macie Teel followed and sent a pitch deep to left, it remained in the park and found its way to Katie Beth Caldwell’s glove for the final out.

Hart picked up the win, pitching the first two innings then final three frames, allowing two runs on eight hits with a trio of strikeouts.

Key led the way for the Choctaws at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double and a homer while driving in two. Ables had a trio of singles in the win. Armstrong and Ray each had two singles as Dyer County tallied a dozen hits in the win.

The Choctaws return to action on Friday as Dyer County hosts Adamsville at 11 a.m. in Newbern.

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