CHESNEE, SC - The Chesnee softball team used a big offensive inning and an excellent performance from the circle to defeat Blacksburg 4-1 on Tuesday night and improve to 2-0 in region play to start the season.
"I'm extremely proud of our girls,” said Chesnee head coach Tripp Fogle. “We had a long weekend of competition and played a tough Landrum team last night. They came out and fought for this win tonight against a Blacksburg team that was ready to play." Chesnee’s Maddie Handy struck out the first batter she faced in the game and it started a theme of the night for the Eagle pitcher. The Eagles put pressure on the Wildcats in the top of the first inning after back-to-back singles by Skylar Barrett and Hannah Henderson but the Wildcats were able to keep the Eagles off the scoreboard. Blacksburg got a leadoff single by Erica Morrison in the top of the second inning and later scored on Anna Tate's two-out RBI double to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead. The run put the momentum squarely in the Wildcat dugout but it also sparked a performance by Handy that made sure her team had a chance. For the final 5.1 innings Handy only allowed one hit and only two base runners while neither runner ever reached second base. With Handy doing her job in the circle she needed her offense to have her back and they were able to come through for her in the fourth inning. Kyleigh Thompson laced a one out single to spark six consecutive batters to reach in the bottom of the fourth inning. Emily Pruett tied the game with a RBI single and one batter later senior Emma Fogle came through with one of the best hits of her career with a RBI double that proved to be the winning hit. "It feels awesome to come through for my team,” said Emma Fogle. “We have come together as a team this season. We have all went up to the plate with confidence this season and that's what I did tonight. It feels good to be off to a 2-0 start in region." Harley Grady bust the game open with a two RBI single to put the Eagles ahead 4-1 and it was a big day for Grady for another reason as she was also named to the Rebel Invitational All-Tournament Team after her performance this past weekend. "It felt really good to see the offense come in clutch tonight,” said Maddie Handy about the Chesnee offense backing up her pitching performance. Chesnee gave Handy all the offense she needed as she struck out five batters over the final three innings but Handy also got help from her defense. After the Eagles took the lead they needed a shut down inning and Handy got a stellar play from her centerfielder, Kyleigh Thompson, as she made an incredible diving catch in the top of the fifth inning to help the Eagles keep the momentum in their dugout. Handy finished with a terrific line as she surrendered four hits with only two runners reaching second base while striking out thirteen total batters, including striking out the side in the fourth and the sixth innings. "We have full confidence in Maddie Handy,” said Emma Fogle. “She does an amazing job in the circle. It feels nice to know we have an amazing pitcher we can rely on." "Tonight I really wanted to take care of my job for my team and give us a chance to win,” said Handy about her performance. The Eagles will be back in action on Tuesday March 29th when they host St. Joseph's with a 5:30 PM first pitch. Comments are closed.
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