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(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) The Graham Leader recognizes Kylie Pruitt as this week’s Athlete of the Week. Pruitt has been a complete player for the Lady Blues commanding the strike zone behind the plate as well as driving in runs offensively. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) The Graham Leader recognizes Tanner Hurford as this week’s Athlete of the Week. Hurford has manned the shortstop position for the Steers this season and against the Clyde Bulldogs, he knocked in a hit and scored a run to lead the Steers to a 5-2 win.
The Graham Steers and Lady Blues both gained wins in their home tournaments last week, with the Lady Blues adding another in their final game before pre-season.
For their work in recent performances, The Graham Leader is recognizing Kylie Pruitt of the Lady Blues and Tanner Hurford of the Steers as Athletes of the Week.
Kylie Pruitt, Lady Blues Softball
Pruitt has been a steady presence for the Lady Blues over the course of this season behind the plate and in the batter’s box as the team’s starting catcher.
Lady Blues head coach Adam Arrington said that Pruitt has been able to build chemistry with multiple Lady Blues pitchers.
“Kylie is a good athlete for us and a great presence behind the plate,” Arrington said. “She works well with our pitchers (Tiffany Cotter and Ruby Shaffer) and she’s done a good job for them.”
The Lady Blues team surrendered no more than four runs in the Graham tournament and that is in part to Pruitt’s command of the strike zone.
The catcher followed up a successful tournament with a critical moment at the plate in the Lady Blues matchup Monday, March 9 against the Lady Rabbits.
Pruitt picked up the go ahead hit in the team’s 11-5 win over the Lady Rabbits with a single into right field that plated two runs and gave Graham a 6-5 lead in the bottom of the fifth.
Tanner Hurford, Steers Baseball
The Steers hosted their own hometown tournament last week and gained valuable experience heading into the second half of the season while also picking up a big win over the Clyde Bulldogs.
One of the key players in that matchup was Hurford. The shortstop has been a foundational piece for the Steers infield all season, filling in for last year’s graduating senior Harison Brockway.
Head coach Allen McGee said that Hurford is like the “spark plug” for the team.
“He hits lead off, plays shortstop and brings the energy for us everyday,” McGee said.
After making the move from second base to shortstop, McGee said Hurford has not let the pressure of filling in for Brockway phase him and has solidified the position as “his spot.”
The coach said Huford set the tone for the team offensively throughout the Graham tournament, while also playing a key role in the Steers’ win Friday, March 6 over the Clyde Bulldogs.
Hurford knocked in a hit against Clyde and used his speed on the basepaths to score his own run in a 5-2 victory.
