Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
In fitting fashion, a senior on the Madison County High School (MCHS) Cowgirls softball team hit a walk-off home run to finish the Cowgirls’ salute to the seniors on Tuesday, April 14. Gracelynn Newsome’s homer gave the Cowgirls an 11-1 lead over the visiting Indians of Ft. White High School in the bottom of the sixth inning, invoking the “mercy rule” that ends a game when a team holds a 10-run lead at the end of five innings.
The Cowgirls went out to an early two-run lead in the first inning. After two scoreless innings, the Cowgirls added one run in the bottom of the fourth inning and two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, thanks to a homer off the bat of AnnaKayte Smith that also brought fellow Cowgirl Lexi Eads home. In the bottom half of the sixth inning, the Cowgirls put up six runs, capped off by Newsome’s two-run homer.
Kylee Hutto went one-for-four in the batter’s box with three runs batted in (RBIs). Newsome had one hit, a home run, in her three at-bats, and two RBIs. Ryleigh Bass went one-for-three, with one RBI. Logan Bass had one hit in her two at-bats, with one RBI. Smith went one-for-three with two RBIs and a home run. Alden Bass also added to the Cowgirls’ hit total.
Cowgirl freshman Reagan Webb turned in a respectable performance in her first varsity start in the pitcher’s circle. Webb went the distance for the Cowgirls, giving up six hits, one earned run and one walk. Webb was able to strike out three batters.
With the win, the Cowgirls improved their record to 13-3.