Carroll County returned home from James River earlier this week with a great deal of confidence after rallying twice to defeat the Knights in thrilling fashion.
The next piece of good news was the pending four game homestand set to begin on Friday night against Floyd County. The weather cooperated and Mother’s Day was celebrated before the first pitch was thrown. Everything was in place when Addie Greene headed to the circle.
The Buffaloes scored a run in the top of the first but the Cavaliers stuffed the rally out with consecutive defensive plays. CCHS answered with their own run in the bottom of the frame. Emma Harman led off with a walk 🚶♂️ and then advanced to second base when Natalie Burress beat out a bunt single. Two outs later, Laynie-Jo Leonard reached first base when the throw was dropped. Harman raced home on the play to tie the game at 1-1.
The visitors scored three runs in both the top of the second and top of the third innings. The common denominator in both rallies was the first three batters reached base and came around to score before Carroll County could record the third out. The six runs came on just three base hits as FCHS made the most of every opportunity.
The Lady Cavaliers season could actually be summed up in the bottom of the second inning as they tried to match the initial 3 spot. Madison Coleman led off with a bunt single and took second on an error on the play. Kenzie McMillian laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Coleman over to third base. Brooke Webb reached on a bunt as well and Coleman cut the deficit to 4-2.
Harman and Burress both hit sharp singles to load the bases. The drawback to both hits is that where hit hard enough that the outfielders threw the ball back quick enough to hold the runners to one base at a time. The perfect opportunity to turn the tables was there for the taking with Greene and Laiken Burnett coming to the plate.
Greene ripped a line drive that sadly stayed up until it reached the centerfielder. To shallow for a tag up and Burnett followed with a shot that hung up long enough for the left fielder to make the play. The half inning included five hard hit balls but netted just the one run.
Harman relived Greene after the third inning and set the Buffaloes down in order for the lone time in the fourth inning. Momentum appeared within grasp once again after the quick inning. McMillian led off the bottom of the fourth inning with an infield single and came around to score on a fielders choice by Harman. The lead was down to 7-3 but Carroll County would not get any closer.
Floyd County added three runs again in the fifth inning and single spots in the final two frames. Lilly Gillespie swung the big bat, going four of five with a Home Run and a double.
Burress was the lone Cavalier to record two hits and Burnett recorded the lone extra base hit with a fifth inning double.
Floyd County JV hosted Carroll County and defeated the Cavaliers 14-4. Both teams will play together one final time on Tuesday when Patrick County comes to The Hill. The Varsity will go on to host Magna Vista and James River after that but both of those games will be Varsity only.
Radford will host Carroll County for the 21st and final regular season game.
A.S.P.N on The Hill 