PREP SOFTBALL: Pioneers, Bearcats Advance to CMD Tourney Title Game

By Tim Hayes
Sports Writer / Bristol Herald Courier
Published: May 20, 2008

BRISTOL, Va. — When Lebanon High School’s Samantha Trail stepped to the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning on Tuesday, her thoughts centered around one thing.

“Put the ball in play was the only thing I was thinking,” Trail said.

Trail then smacked a single that brought Lori Witt home for the winning run as Lebanon rallied for a 4-3 victory over John Battle in the semifinals of the Clinch Mountain District softball tournament at Belle Meadows Park.

Lebanon (16-3) advances to Thursday’s CMD tournament title game to face Virginia High and also clinched a spot in the Region D tournament.

“I knew we would come through,” Trail said. “I had confidence.”

That optimism might have faded early as Lebanon fell behind 3-1 and the Pioneers were an out away from seeing their season come to an end.

However, Rachel Cook’s two-run double down the left field line in the bottom of the seventh plated two runs and knotted things up.

“I just knew I had to put it in play,” Cook said. “We were a little nervous. We cut it a little close, but we pulled it out.”

After Lebanon pitcher Jessica Tate mowed through Battle’s order in the top of the eighth inning, the stage was set for Trail’s heroics.

Witt began the inning by reaching on an infield single. The at-bat included four straight foul balls, before she connected on a 2-2 pitch from Battle pitcher Amber Hall.

“When I was at-bat, I kept fouling it off if I didn’t like it,” Witt said. “I put it in play and hustled down the line with everything I had.”

After Lebanon advanced the runners, Trail stepped into the batter’s box and delivered. It also secured Lebanon’s second regional tournament trip in the last three seasons.

“To be a freshman and going to the region tournament – wow,” Trail said.

Cook and Witt finished with three hits apiece to lead Lebanon, while Allie Smith and Trail each had two hits.

It was the latest close win for the Pioneers.

“We’ve lived like that all year,” Lebanon coach Shelia Adams said. “The girls never quit and they didn’t today either.”

Emily Biggs had two hits for Battle (5-16) and reached base in all four of her plate appearances, while Ashley Bryant supplied two hits. Freshman Brittni Altmann also had a hit and scored a run and made two nice catches from her left field position.

John Battle 100 011 00—3 8 0
Lebanon 000 100 21—4 12 4

Hall and Street. Tate and Smith. W—Tate. L—Hall. HR—none.

Virginia High 7, Lee High 2
Lauryn Denton had two of Virginia High’s 12 hits as the top-seeded Bearcats (17-2) rolled into the CMD tourney title game.

Denton singled and scored during the Bearcats’ four-run third inning. She also connected for a single and scored in the fifth.

“Right now, we’re looking at her as the most improved player,” VHS coach Barry Reed said. “Last year, she didn’t even hit .200 for us, I don’t think for the entire year. She’s done a great job at getting better at the stick this year.”

Denton credited her offseason training for her progress at the plate.

“I worked a lot in travel ball, both left-handed and right-handed,” Denton said. “It’s made my offense a little better.”

Leadoff hitter Fallon Thomas went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored for the Bearcats, while winning pitcher Lannie Johnston helped her own cause with two hits.

“Everybody is hitting good,” Denton said. “We’re hitting the ball hard.”

Kristi Cress had two hits for Lee, while Ashley Dickenson and Kala Rutherford drove in the Generals’ two runs.

Lee High 000 200 0—2 5 1
Virginia High 004 030 x—7 12 0
Rupert and Dickenson. Johnston and Thomas. W—Johnston (12-2). L—Rupert. HR—none.
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