The CCHS Lady Panthers softball team went through a tough 8 game stretch in 6 days. With a few early week losses behind them, the ladies ended the week playing some of their best games of the season. The team took the lead on Gilmer and Calhoun, but were unable to hang on for those victories as they fell to Gilmer 10-6 and Calhoun 10-13. However, they avenged the Calhoun loss with an impressive 9-3 over the same Calhoun squad as Kyla Smith belted a 2 run Home Run in that contest. Destiny Williams was 3-4 with 3 runs scored in the Gilmer game, but it was not enough even though Alisha Angel continued her hot hitting going 4-4 with 3 RBI’s in the game. Other notable stats include Kelsie Cottrell going 2-4 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI’s, Angel going 3 for 5 and Summer Alley finishing 2-3 in the 9 to 3 win over Calhoun. Clay battled powerhouse Herbert Hoover on Wednesday and had some issues in the field and Hoover was able to top the Panthers by a 12-0 score. Sarah Boggs did go 1-1 and had a stolen base in the contest. The girls kept fighting, but were never able to get back into the game. Next up for the ladies was a Friday double header at Roane County. Roane came into the game sporting a 16-2 record. The Panthers were not intimidated and trailed only by a 7-5 margin late in the night. Kelsie Cottrell went 2 for 3 and Graci Mitchell pounded the ball as she went 3 for 3. Sarah Boggs and Mackenzie Burford each had multi-hit games, but Clay was not able to come out on top. However, Saturday was a different story as the girls traveled to Gauley Bridge for a double header against Valley Fayette and Cross Lanes. In the first game of the tilt, CCHS topped Valley by a 3-1 score as Sarah Boggs went 3-4 with 2 RBI’s and Kyla Smith done in the Greyhounds with 3 walks and 2 runs scored. But, Smith was virtually untouchable on the mound as she tossed 7 innings of 4 hit ball while striking out 6 in the contest. Defense was the difference as CCHS played their best defensive games of the year. Jamie Paxton made the game saving catch in the bottom of the 7th as Valley had the game tying runs in scoring position. The Valley hitter hit a rocket line drive towards Paxton, but she made it look routine and the Panthers claimed victory. The last contest of the week was against a very good Cross Lanes team as Carlie Roat ran all over the bases with 2 stolen bases and 2 runs scored. She was 1-2 at the plate and Summer Alley belted the ball going 3 for 4 with 2 RBI’s. The Panthers have a 10-10 record on the season. With batters such as Destiny Williams, Graci Mitchell and Alisha Angel really heating up at the plate, the Lady Panthers are sure to pick up even more victories. If they can pitch like they did towards the end of the week and field like they did on Saturday, its hard telling how far this team can go. The Panthers have Valley Fayette coming to town for a double header on Wednesday and the Braxton game on Tuesday has been rescheduled to Friday to accommodate the many Lady Panthers being inducted in the National Honor Society. Come out and support these girls as they are starting to find their grove on the season.
