Lady Rebels blast WB, 10-0, to take on Lady Admirals

By Pete Herbert
Daily Times Corresponden

KNOXVILLE -- Put on your hitting shoes. It's time to play.

Despite the dramatic drop in temperature Monday night, Maryville softball broke out the aluminum in the six-inning 10-0 win over William Blount in the first round of double elimination play in the District 4-AAA tournament hosted by South-Doyle.

"What can I say?" MHS coach Ken Hawkins asked after the game. "We had our hitting shoes on all over the place.

"I applaud the William Blount coaching staff for their effort and enthusiasm throughout the game. They are a good team, but we just hit the cover off the ball."

In addition to an unstoppable offense, Lady Rebel ace Brittany Monday was lights out from the circle. She allowed only one hit -- Lady Govs Leah Kelley's single -- and struck out 14, while not walking a single batter, in her six-inning complete game win.

Maryville started the offensive attack in the bottom of the third, scoring four runs off two hits, but blew the game wide open in the bottom of the fourth. With a 4-0 lead, Lady Reb shortstop Meredith Neithammer hit a 3-RBI double with bases loaded and that was all folks.

In the bottom of the sixth, Kim Whaley reached on a lead-off single, and Bailie Roberts's double scored her, ending the game.

Maryville's Chasiti Smith led the Red and Black from the dish, going 3-for-3 with a triple. Whaley and Roberts were both 2-for-4 with a double, and lead-off hitter Camille Olvey finished 2-for-3 from the plate.

Maryville advances to the winner's bracket and will travel again to South-Doyle to play Farragut today at 6.

William Blount falls to the losers' bracket and will play Heritage in an elimination game at 8.

'"Unfortunately, none of these runs carry over to (today)," Hawkins said. "We're going to have to come out and play ball. It's going to be a defensive struggle. They're a good team and you never know in the tournament."