HUNTER COOKSTON
Writer
The Whitwell softball team is coming off a Sub-State appearance at Gordonsville in 2025 and is looking to get back to the Spring Fling. The Lady Tigers opened with a strong performance on the road, defeating Grundy 7-1.
Ella Layne recorded one of the Lady Tigers’ five hits, and her hit left the park, giving Layne her first home run of the young season. Jacie Willis, Lilian Ray, Bayli Brown, and Lindsay Gonzalez each added a hit in the contest. Whitwell was able to draw four walks on the night, and the Lady Tigers were aggressive on the basepaths with 12 stolen bases.
Willis was great in the circle, tossing all seven innings and finishing with 13 strikeouts. Willis allowed just one hit and one walk.
The Whitwell baseball team reached the Spring Fling in 2025 for the first time in school history. Whitwell was able to hold off a late rally by Red Bank to secure an early-season confidence win, 7-6.
Landon Smith got the scoring started for the Tigers with a ground ball to second, scoring Cayden Green. The Lions responded in the bottom half of the inning with two runs. Colin Beason later singled to left field, knocking in Green.
The Tigers came alive in the fourth inning. Brayden Riley hit a sacrifice fly to right field, giving the Tigers their second lead of the game. Beason singled to right field this time, allowing Gabe Ross and Green to score. Brody Harvey drove in two more runs for Whitwell to cap the scoring. Red Bank mounted a rally in the final frame, but Whitwell buckled down when it mattered most to preserve the win.
Bennett Goforth went the distance for the Tigers, striking out four batters and allowing only two walks.