South Lenoir Defeats Richlands 6-5
In a nail-biter of a game, the South Lenoir Lady Devils eked out a thrilling victory over Richlands with a final score of 6-5. This victory marked a significant milestone for South Lenoir, snapping a four-game losing streak against the 3A powerhouse Richlands team renowned for their robust program and impressive record, including last season's standout 19-4 run.
The match's tone was set early when LeNayah Jackson of Richlands initiated the scoring, only for South Lenoir to respond and level the game by the second inning. The teams traded the lead, with Richlands pulling ahead 3-1 in the fourth. South Lenoir, however, showcased their resilience and fighting spirit in the bottom of that same inning, turning the game on its head to make it 5-3, with critical hits from Jade Sasnett and Kiley Smith, who doubled to drive in two runs.
Pitcher Jade Sasnett, who pitched a complete game, found herself in a heart-stopping late-game situation with bases loaded and just one out, with the Devils clinging to a one-run lead. Sasnett expressed the high tension she felt, "A lot of adrenaline. I was really nervous, but I knew I had to push through for my team." Her efforts were not in vain as she weathered the storm with the help of third baseman Callie Tyndall, who secured a game-ending double play, navigating through a Richlands runner to make a crucial catch in foul territory.
Head Coach Madison Harvey reflected on the team's extra preparations for facing a team of Richlands' caliber, "We definitely prepared more for this. We turned the machine up trying to prepare for what we know about them…." The determination to overcome their losing streak against Richlands was evident as Coach Harvey noted the team's initial tightness but praised them for ironing out the wrinkles to secure the win. Harvey’s sentiments were mirrored in the players' resolve, with Sasnett noting the significance of the triumph: "It's a big win, the girls been wanting to beat them for years now and it’s nice to come out to our home field and take advantage of it."
Statistically, Rylan Wade shone brightly, going 2-for-3 at the plate to lead South Lenoir in hits, alongside Smith's crucial two RBIs. On the defensive end, Sasnett allowed nine hits and five runs (three earned) over seven innings, striking out two and not yielding a single walk.
The Lady Devils have shown that they can rise to the occasion against top-tier competition and will undoubtedly carry this momentum into their next game against Southwest Onslow. This matchup will be an opportunity to build on the lessons learned and the confidence gained from their hard-fought victory over Richlands.
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