Published: May 16, 2008 10:26 pm            

Heroic feat

Mitchell blasts ‘Dogs past ‘Cats

TAZEWELL, Va. — The cold air, misting rain and dark, overcast skies made Tazewell High School seem more like an appropriate setting for an old horror film than a softball game.

But this was the backdrop for one of the best softball games of the season. Instead of an evil villain, Katelyn Mitchell played the part of the courageous hero, hitting the game-winning home run in the sixth inning to give the Bulldogs a 3-2 win over Virginia High Friday afternoon.

“I just know we faced a very good ball club today and we were very fortunate to win the ball game,” said Tazewell head coach Tom Keene. “Our kids played well and their kids played well.”

“Personally I think we made two bad pitches and we paid for both of them,” said Virginia High head coach Barry Reed. “It was supposed to be a low curve ball there and the girl nailed it to right center field for two runs.

“And then we got behind in the count in the sixth inning on Mitchell and started grooving there...and she turned on one.”

Mitchell’s solo shot over the left field fence was the result of her simply trying to begin a rally when she saw an inside fastball.

“Really it didn’t really feel like nothing,” Mitchell said. “It felt like I was just hitting a normal ball. It happened to go over. I made good contact with it.

“I was just trying to get contact and get on base. It felt like such a big relief. It just felt great. I never hit a home run before in a game. It was awesome.”

The game was dominated by solid pitching and at times spectacular defense from both teams. Tazewell starter Kari Chaffin allowed two runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and one walk in seven innings to get the win.

“All my balls had really good movement today,” Chaffin said. “I really didn’t have all my speed but I think the ball movement covered it very well.”

Bearcats starter Lannie Johnston also went seven innings and gave up three runs on eight hits with two strikeouts in defeat.

The loss was a bitter pill to swallow for Reed and the Bearcats.

“We’d won like 16 in a row until this,” Reed said. “Maybe it’s good for it to happen right before tournament time. We’ve had a good year, looking forward to bigger things the next two or three weeks.”

The Bulldogs took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Brittany McReynolds hit a two-RBI double to right-center field. McReynolds ended the day 1-for-3.

Virginia High cut the lead in half in the second inning. Brittany Cruzenberry reached base on a double, then later scored on a fielder’s choice.

The clubs combined for two hits in the next three innings as pitching and defense dominated. The Bearcats tied the game in the sixth. Cruzenberry singled to cap a 2-for-2 game, then scored her second run thanks to a double by Adrian Evans. Evans finished the game 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Amber Sparks was the leading hitter for Tazewell, going 2-for-3 with a double.

Virginia High (17-2) will play either Lee or John Battle on Tuesday in the Clinch Mountain District tournament.

“We’ve had an unusual year,” Reed said. “We lost our best player this year who was our pitcher and she was Southwest Virginia Player of the Year last year that was named by the Bristol paper.

“Lannie’s done a good job for us this year. She’s come in and won probably 12 straight games until today. She’s done about all we could ask out of her.”

Tazewell will play Abingdon today. They feel confident going into the postseason.

“I think with where we have been struggling here lately, we have really had an eye-opening week,” Chaffin said. “We’re really going to get back on top. We’re striving. We’re practicing good. I think we’re going to make it.”

— Contact Jed Lockett

at jlockett@bdtonline.com



At Tazewell High School

Virginia High..........010 001 0 — 2 5 0

Tazewell.................200 001 x — 3 8 1

Lannie Johnston and Fallon Thomas. Kari Chaffin and Sydnei Lester. W — Kari Chaffin. L — Lannie Johnston. HR — Katelyn Mitchell.

        

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