HUNTER COOKSTON
Writer
The end of the regular season is near, which means it’s time for teams to celebrate their seniors with the annual senior night. Last Monday was that night for the Whitwell softball team. The Lady Tigers recognized Kasie Britton and Ella Grace Harvey. Whitwell faced off against the Sequatchie County Lady Indians. Earlier in the month, Whitwell had lost 10-1, but a couple of weeks later, the Lady Tigers got their revenge with a 7-1 victory.
The game was a pitcher’s duel for most of the night, as Whitwell’s Jacie Willis and Sequatchie’s pitcher went head-to-head. Willis went the distance for the Lady Tigers, and her mix of fastballs and changeups kept hitters off balance throughout the game. The sophomore allowed just two hits, one run, and struck out seven in seven innings, while not giving up any walks.
Sequatchie got on the board in the fourth inning with a fielder’s choice. Whitwell entered the bottom of the fourth trailing by one, but by the end of the inning, they had gained a comfortable lead. Freshman Kiley Billingsley laid down a beautiful bunt to drive in the Lady Tigers’ first run. Willis helped her own cause with an RBI single. Then, on senior night, with the bases loaded and two outs, Britton hit a grand slam to break the game wide open.
That was a moment Britton will never forget. Harvey didn’t want to end her senior night without a memorable moment either, so she joined the home run party with a solo shot over the centerfield fence.
The young Lady Tigers could very well be starting to click as the postseason nears. Whitwell is no stranger to making a deep run in the postseason, so May is always an exciting time for both the team and its fans.
The Lady Tigers are back in action at Rhea County on Thursday, May 1st, at 5:00 p.m.
