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(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Kylie Pruitt behind the dish at catcher for the Lady Blues in their Tuesday, April 1 matchup against the Lady Rams. Pruitt was very versatile in their victory calling a great game behind home plate while also delivering the games biggest hit. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Zoey Harrell takes the mound for the Lady Blues in their Tuesday, April 1 matchup against the Lady Rams. After giving up a pair of runs in the first inning, Harrell refocused and put up four consecutive zero run innings. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Ruby Shaffer takes a swing at a ball up at the plate Tuesday, April 1 in Graham’s matchup against Mineral Wells. Shaffer had a very busy day this day playing in both the JV and varsity games. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Larissa Warren standing at the ready at first base Tuesday, April 1 for the Lady Blues. Warren and Louder have formed a solid one-two punch at the top of the lineup for the Lady Blues this season.
The Lady Blues kept the momentum riding high Tuesday evening with a complete sweep of the Lady Rams. After junior varsity picked up a 6-5 win, the varsity team capped off the night with a 6-4 win.
This game certainly had several standout performances. A consistent anchor for the team throughout the entirety of the game was starting pitcher Zoey Harrell.
After surrendering two runs in the top of the first inning, Harrell picked herself back up and didn’t allow another run for four consecutive innings until the top of the sixth.
Head coach Adam Arrington had high praise for his starter’s control throughout much of the contest.
“I though Zoey came out and did well,” he said. “Mineral Wells was hitting the ball well but she kept them off balance and did a good job.”
Much like their junior varsity counterparts, the Lady Blues would also have to come back if they wanted to seal the win. In the bottom of the second inning trailing 2-0 they kicked off the comeback.
Tiffany Cotter opened the home frame with a leadoff walk and a sacrifice groundout from Kylie Pruitt would push cotter over to second base. Hadleigh Allen followed this up with a fly ball to center field that would put runners on the corners.
Later with the bases loaded, Kimberly Aguirre grounded into an inning ending double play but score the runner from third which cut the Lady Rams lead in half 2-1.
The turning point of the game came in the bottom of the fifth inning.
At this point Graham had notched two more runs to give themselves a 3-2 lead and now were in a situation to really put a cushion on that. Harrell, Ruby Shaffer and Cotter all reached base safely and now Pruitt was once again up to the plate. This go around, she would make her mark on the game.
Pruitt sent a ball carrying into the outfield for a bases clearing double which opened the lead 5-2 in favor of the Lady Blues.
Although the final runner was tagged out at home, Pruitt gave the Lady Blues the insurance they needed in order to eventually seal a 6-4 victory.
“That was a great at bat right there,” Arrington said. “These freshman know how to compete.”
The Lady Blues will travel Friday, April 4 to Stephenville for a 6:30 p.m. matchup to see if they can keep the momentum going after a great all around night for the team.
