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(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Hannah Mason covers second on a pickoff attempt Tuesday, April 15. The Lady Blues beat the Lady Lions 10-6 in the matchup. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Natalie Hunter in position to steal from second for the Lady Blues in their matchup Tuesday, April 15. Baserunning opportunities were crucial in the Lady Blues 10-6 against the Lady Lions. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Ruby Shaffer up on the mound for the Lady Blues in their matchup Tuesday, April 15 against the Lady Lions. Shaffer serves as both a pitcher for the junior varsity team and a second baseman for the varsity team.
The Graham junior varsity Lady Blues had one of their most impressive performances yet Tuesday evening, defeating the Brownwood Lady Lions 10-6 in an offensive surge.
“They did a lot better. They hit the ball pretty good,” Head coach Casey Williams said. “Our baserunning today was better than it has been.”
Graham got off to the races early in the bottom of the first when Peyton Petty hit an infield single, stole second base and reached third safely on quality base running.
Gabriella Reyes capped off Petty’s efforts by driving her in making contact on a ball in the air to give the Lady Blues a run.
After giving up a few runs in the top of the second, the team really started to pour on runs in the bottom half of the inning. Trailing 3-1 in the home half of the frame, the Lady Blues struck.
Natalie Hunter started things off with a walk followed by stealing second and third base. Kloe Hammond followed this up with quality baserunning of her own by walking and stealing second as well.
Paisley Bailey then drew a walk of her own to load the bases and put Graham in prime position to do damage. When the team needed a moment, Ruby Shaffer rose to the challenge.
Shaffer knocked in a bases clearing double and reached third base on a throwing error to put the team firmly in front. Gabriella Reyes provided extra insurance as well, driving in Shaffer on an infield single.
Brownwood countered with two runs in the top of the third to make things a 6-5 affair. However, Graham didn’t surrender under pressure.
The home team tacked on four more runs in the bottom of the third off of several more disciplined at bats and drawn walks. Hannah Mason also had the highlight play of the inning with an RBI single through the infield.
The Lady Blues only surrendered one more run in the top of the fourth to finish the game with a 10-6 win.
The Lady Blues went on to cap off their season Thursday, April 17 in Mineral Wells taking on the Lady Rams at 6:30 p.m.
