By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com
DAWSON SPRINGS -- With two outs and the bases loaded, Hopkins County Central hitter Taylor Crawley delivered a walk-off single on Tuesday evening as the Lady Storm captured the 7th District Softball Tournament championship against Dawson Springs.
Crawley finished the game with a game-high four hits while teammate Ali Austin tossed a complete-game, one-hit shutout and Central (22-7) defeated the Lady Panthers, 10-0 in five innings.
In addition to Crawley's 4-for-4 performance, Taylor Brackett and McKenzie Taylor each finished 3-for-3. The trio combined for five RBIs and accumulated 10 of Central's 13 hits.
"Taylor Crawley was hitting the ball hard," Central coach Jesse Huff said. "She was on a mission tonight. Brackett wasn't going to be outdone and McKenzie, with bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth, she came through. She put the bat on the ball."
The Lady Storm wasted no time getting on the board by scoring two runs in the first.
"I was really, really proud of them," Austin said of her teammates' offensive success. "I was worried in the beginning, but once that first inning came off, it was obvious we were ready to play."
First baseman Alexis Curneal provided the game's first two runs on a line drive over the right fielder's head, plating Brackett and Ashley Flener.
Crawley finished the game with a game-high four hits while teammate Ali Austin tossed a complete-game, one-hit shutout and Central (22-7) defeated the Lady Panthers, 10-0 in five innings.
In addition to Crawley's 4-for-4 performance, Taylor Brackett and McKenzie Taylor each finished 3-for-3. The trio combined for five RBIs and accumulated 10 of Central's 13 hits.
"Taylor Crawley was hitting the ball hard," Central coach Jesse Huff said. "She was on a mission tonight. Brackett wasn't going to be outdone and McKenzie, with bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth, she came through. She put the bat on the ball."
The Lady Storm wasted no time getting on the board by scoring two runs in the first.
"I was really, really proud of them," Austin said of her teammates' offensive success. "I was worried in the beginning, but once that first inning came off, it was obvious we were ready to play."
First baseman Alexis Curneal provided the game's first two runs on a line drive over the right fielder's head, plating Brackett and Ashley Flener.
During the fourth, the Lady Storm manufactured four more runs to take a commanding lead. Eight batters went to the plate during the outburst. Taylor brought home the inning's first run on a suicide squeeze. The next two runs scored on a single play that involved a wild pitch and an errant throw, which landed in left field. Then, Flener doubled home the seventh run, but was thrown out sliding into third on a great relay.
On the mound, Austin commanded the game from the opening pitch and retired the first 11 batters she faced.
Lady Panthers coach Kent Workman said he didn't feel like his players were swinging at the right pitches and thus didn't make enough solid contact.
"To me, it was like we were waiting for a gift down the middle every time and Ali's not going to give you that," he said.
Dawson did not manage a baserunner until Austin allowed a two-out walk in the fourth to Emilee Workman.
Jalyn Walls ended Austin's no-hit attempt in the fifth inning with a bloop single to right field. The hit prevented Austin from recording her third hitless game of the season.
Missing the personal accomplishment did not bother the sophomore pitcher.
"You win some and you lose some, but we won, so that's what counts," Austin said. "I try to do my best every game and I did do my best because we won, so that (no-hitter) doesn't really matter to me."
In the fifth, Central cemented the win with a two-run single by Taylor and a walk-off hit by Crawley.
With the win, the Lady Storm claimed their second 7th District title in as many years.
After the game, officials announced the All-District team. Representatives from Central included Austin, Brackett, Crawley, Flener and senior Brittney Orten. For Dawson, Randolph, Workman, Shelby Bruce and Kelsey Beshears made the list.
Seniors Kelly Herrenbruck and Caitlin Todd represented Madisonville-North Hopkins while Danielle Flood and Hannah Riddle from Caldwell County also earned recognition.
Central and Dawson now await the regional draw to be held Saturday morning.
Dawson (14-8) 000 00 - 0 1 4
Central (22-7) 201 43 - 10 13 1
WP: Ali Austin
LP: Brooke Randolph
On the mound, Austin commanded the game from the opening pitch and retired the first 11 batters she faced.
Lady Panthers coach Kent Workman said he didn't feel like his players were swinging at the right pitches and thus didn't make enough solid contact.
"To me, it was like we were waiting for a gift down the middle every time and Ali's not going to give you that," he said.
Dawson did not manage a baserunner until Austin allowed a two-out walk in the fourth to Emilee Workman.
Jalyn Walls ended Austin's no-hit attempt in the fifth inning with a bloop single to right field. The hit prevented Austin from recording her third hitless game of the season.
Missing the personal accomplishment did not bother the sophomore pitcher.
"You win some and you lose some, but we won, so that's what counts," Austin said. "I try to do my best every game and I did do my best because we won, so that (no-hitter) doesn't really matter to me."
In the fifth, Central cemented the win with a two-run single by Taylor and a walk-off hit by Crawley.
With the win, the Lady Storm claimed their second 7th District title in as many years.
After the game, officials announced the All-District team. Representatives from Central included Austin, Brackett, Crawley, Flener and senior Brittney Orten. For Dawson, Randolph, Workman, Shelby Bruce and Kelsey Beshears made the list.
Seniors Kelly Herrenbruck and Caitlin Todd represented Madisonville-North Hopkins while Danielle Flood and Hannah Riddle from Caldwell County also earned recognition.
Central and Dawson now await the regional draw to be held Saturday morning.
Dawson (14-8) 000 00 - 0 1 4
Central (22-7) 201 43 - 10 13 1
WP: Ali Austin
LP: Brooke Randolph
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