Lumpkin County runner-up region championship
Sports, Team FYN Sports October 3, 2019The Lumpkin County Lady Indians softball team finished as runner-up in the region 7 3A championship after falling short in a double header on Wednesday night.
The Lady Indians faced off against region opponent East Hall. The top-two teams in their region battled earlier in the season at Lumpkin County. The Vikings defeated the Lady Indians at home in the regular season game, and the latter was looking for the opposite to happen at East Hall.
It is a rivalry that many hoped would end with a comeback for the Lady Indians, but unfortunately ended with the Vikings on top 6-1 in the first game and 16-0 in the second.
Lumpkin County played solid defense in the first game
The Vikings jumped ahead with an early lead after their first at bat. Macy Banks, starting pitcher for East Hall, hit a single to right field. Her teammate Abigail Brown put the ball into play immediately after, giving the Vikings time to score and get on the board first.
During Viking Callie Dale’s turn at bat, the ball got past Lady Indians catcher Natalie Schubert and East Hall got their second run. Dale followed with a double, and the Vikings gained their third run. The Lady Indians defense kicked in, and a great play by second baseman Alyssa Pulley got the third out.
For several innings neither team scored as the others defense went to work. Natalie Robinson took the mound for the Lady Indians and pitched six innings.
The highlight of the Lady Indians offense came in the top of the fourth inning. Third baseman Lauren English stepped up to bat, and launched an out of the park home run to left field. As she rounded the bases, her teammates came onto the field to greet her at home plate.
Several other great offensive moments for the Lady Indians included two singles by Alyssa Pulley and a single by Natalie Schubert.
Despite Lumpkin County’s best efforts, the Vikings scored three more runs to extend their lead. A couple of walks and a single by Viking Grace Smith put two more runs on the board in the bottom of the fourth.
The Lady Indians held the Vikings from scoring more runs for a couple more innings by playing great defense. A great running catch by left fielder AK Wilson turned into a double play after she threw the ball to Alyssa Pulley at first.
The final run of the game for the Vikings came after a single by Gracie Ausborn to clinch the first win 6-1.
Lady Indians offense struggled in second game
The Vikings again jumped ahead with an early lead after back to back singles to start the second game. They
also scored eight runs over a lengthy eighth inning that secured them the lead.
Although they battled for hits during each at bat, the Lady Indians were unable to score.
English took the mound as the starting pitcher for Lumpkin County, and pitched a total of three innings. Emmie Graham came in at the top of the fourth and pitched one inning.
The final score was 16-0.
The Lady Indians are officially the second seed heading into playoffs for the state championship. They will host the third seed from region 5 3A on Wednesday, October 9th.
Lady Indians push forward with 5-4 win against Panthers
Sports, Team FYN Sports August 13, 2019A couple of hits for the Panthers and mistakes from the Lady Indians allowed Union County to get on the board first at Tuesday night’s game. Although both teams played a solid game, in a theme that seems to be recurrent for the Lady Indians this season, Lumpkin started to come back in the bottom of the fifth for an overall 5-4 victory.
The first couple of innings displayed the defensive strength of both teams. Both teams put the ball into play during their first at-bats, but couldn’t get anything on the board before the other would get the third out. The Lady Indians defense had an especially great three up, three down for the top of the second inning.
Union County starting pitcher Megan Bright pitched a total of four strikeouts after 4 2/3 innings. Starting pitcher for the Lady Indians Natalie Robinson stayed in the entire game and pitched a great six innings with two strikeouts.
Runners started to score for Union in the top of the fourth after a double by center fielder Mary Wischmeyer. A single to right field by third baseman Caley Davis advanced Wischmeyer to third, who was then able to score after the ball got past Lumpkin catcher Natalie Schubert. An error by Lumpkin first baseman Hannah Pulley gave the Panthers time to get another run on the board, as did when the ball got past Schubert again. At the end of the inning the Panthers were ahead 4-0.
The Lady Indians left two stranded in the bottom of the fourth, but fought to keep the Panthers back in the top of the fifth. Second baseman Alyssa Pulley played an exceptional inning defensively, with a pop up catch for the first out, a diving catch for an attempt at the second out, and a running catch to get the third out.
The bats were hot for the Lady Indians in the bottom of the fifth, started off by a single to left field by shortstop Evee Dornhecker. Third baseman Lauren English followed with a double, and the Lady Indians got their first run of the night. Schubert hit a single to center field for the second run, and first baseman Hannah Pulley drilled a single to the wall at center field to score courtesy runner Kelsey Marshall and right fielder Haley Voyles. When the dust settled at the end of the inning the Lady Indians had tied the game 4-4.
A couple of easy outs kept the Panthers from scoring any more runs in the top of the sixth. When the Lady Indians came back up to bat in the bottom of the inning, English hit another double to bring in a RBI and the final run. The Panthers were unable to get anything else past the Lumpkin defense, and the game ended after the top of the seventh inning.
Lady Indians head coach Joe Jones said of the game, “Offensively we waited a little while to adjust, but we finally got some big hits with runners in scoring position and I’m proud of us for sticking with it.”
The Lady Indians will head to Chestatee tonight for a 5 p.m. game. They will be back home on Thursday to face Chestatee again at 5 p.m.
Lady Indians fall to Vikings 13-8
Sports, Team FYN Sports August 22, 2019In one of the most high-energy games this season, the Lumpkin County Lady Indians took on the East Hall Vikings on Tuesday in their second region game of the season. In a sudden turn of events the Vikings pulled ahead to defeat the Lady Indians 13-8.
The Vikings got things started with an out-of-the-park homerun by starting pitcher Macy Banks in the top of the first inning. Banks’s hit was followed by a couple of singles, but the Lady Indians defense got the third out before any more runs could score.
Shortstop Evee Dornhecker hit an incredible out-of-the-park homerun to left field to lead things off for the Lady Indians. Starting pitcher Lauren English followed with a single, and a double by catcher Natalie Schubert lifted the Lady Indians to a 2-1 lead over the Vikings. Designated player Emmie Graham hit the ball to the infield and an error on the Vikings shortstop gave Graham time to reach first. Third baseman Hannah Pulley hit the ball back to the pitcher for the third out, but not before Graham came home to push the Lady Indians lead to 3-1.
A string of singles from Dornhecker, English and first baseman Natalie Robinson extended the Lady Indians lead to 5-1 during their next time to bat. The Vikings responded with another out-of-the-park homerun by Abigail Brown in the top of the third to make the score 5-3.
In the bottom of the third inning another string of singles from the Lady Indians helped to gain another four runs. After a couple of strong defensive innings for both teams the Vikings started to come back in the top of the fifth with a double to the center field wall by Banks. A passed ball for the Lady Indians brought in a run for the Vikings, as did a single. A couple of walked runners increased the Vikings score, and they took the lead after a double to the center field wall by right fielder Callie Dale.
Robinson came in to start pitching for the Lady Indians in the top of the sixth. With a fresh arm on the mound the Lady Indians were able to get quick three outs.
Robinson hit a double in the bottom of the sixth, and was brought home by a double from Schubert. The Lady Indians were looking for a comeback in the seventh, but a rainstorm swept through and made it difficult for them. The Vikings ended up putting another four runs on the board in the top of the seventh making the final score 13-8.
The Lady Indians still walked away with fourteen hits over the course of the game. Starting pitcher Lauren English pitched five innings and Natalie Robinson pitched 1 1/3 inning. Emmie Graham came in at the very end to finish up 2/3 of an inning.
The Lady Indians are now 5-5 on the season and 1-1 in the region. They will travel to Norcross on Thursday to face Greater Atlanta Christian.
Lady Indians continue region play against Fannin
Sports, Team FYN Sports August 30, 2019Lady Indians starting pitcher Natalie Robinson deserved the “Dub Club” sign she wore after an incredible game on Thursday that helped her team to defeat region opponent Fannin County on Thursday. Robinson pitched a solid four innings with two strikeouts and only allowing two runs. Other incredible offense for the Lady Indians included two singles with a RBI and a double for shortstop Evee Dornhecker, and a double with 2 RBIs for catcher Natalie Schubert.
The Lady Rebels were the first to score with one run in the top of the first. A couple of bunts got the bases loaded for the Lady Rebels, and then a single to center field by catcher Eryn Mealer brought in a runner.
The Lady Indians were quick to come back with a lead off single by Dornhecker. Third baseman Lauren English hit the ball straight to the Lady Rebels’ shortstop, but an error on the shortstop gave English time to be safe at first. Catcher Natalie Robinson sent the ball right to the shortstop again, this time for an out, but not before Dornhecker could score and tie the game. Right fielder Haley Voyles hit a single to right field to bring in English, and the Lady Indians left the inning with a 2-1 lead.
The next couple of innings were brief for both teams, giving a chance for the defense to shine. In the top of the second inning, Robinson pitched two back-to-back strikeouts.
The offense started to pick back up in the top of the fourth with another single by Mealer. Starting pitcher Kaelyn Hensley put down a sacrifice bunt to bring in Mealer, and the Lady Rebels tied the game at a score of 2-2.
The Lady Indians offense came to life in the bottom of the fourth, starting off with a double to center field by Dornhecker. The next couple of batters for the Lady Indians resulted in walks, and when Schubert launched a double to the center field wall she brought in an easy two runs to pull the Lady Indians ahead 4-2.
The Lady Indians were in great scoring position, and they took advantage of it. Voyles followed Schubert with a single to bring in a runner. Another runner scored after designated player Emmie Graham put the ball into play. First baseman for the Lady Indians Hannah Pulley followed with a single of her own to bring home one of her teammates and push the score to 7-2 Lady Indians.
The Lady Indians were once again in great scoring position after a couple more walks. Back at the top of the lineup Dornhecker hit a single to right field to earn a RBI. English followed with the same, and then Robinson launched an out-of-the-park bomb to center field for two more RBIs. When the Lady Indians left the inning they held a lead of 12-2.
Unfortunately the Lady Rebels couldn’t get anything going in the next half-inning, and the Lady Indians won on a run rule after four-and-a-half innings 12-2.
Head coach for the Lady Indians Joe Jones was pleased with the team’s performance.
“[We] did a much better job adjusting quickly. Great ball game, they did a great job mixing up pitchers and keeping our timing off,” said Coach Jones.
The Lady Rebels alternated their pitching between three women including Hensley and Josilyn Newton. The Lady Rebels are scheduled to take on East Hall on Saturday.
The Lady Indians are on a region play break, as they are scheduled to face Union away next Wednesday. They will then take on Oconee County and Locust Grove.
Lady Indians cap off non-region play with 11-0 win
Sports, Team FYN Sports August 16, 2019The Lumpkin County Lady Indians softball team finished off their non-region play on a positive note. They won their third game of the week against the Chestatee Lady War Eagles at home on Thursday.
The Lady War Eagles showed up ready to fight for a come back from their 17-0 loss against the Lady Indians on Tuesday. Shortstop K.T. Palmieri hit a leadoff single for the Lady War Eagles in the top of the first. Unfortunately the next couple of batters were unable to put the ball into play like they needed, and the Lady War Eagles left one stranded going into the bottom of the inning.
The Lady Indians spent the next couple of innings battling to put runs on the board. Starting pitcher Natalie Robinson drilled a double to center field, and catcher Natalie Schubert brought in the first run of the game right after with a single to left field.
During their next turn to bat the Lady Indians scored a total of six runs to bump the score up 7-0. Hayley Voyles hit a single to center field, and an error on the Lady War Eagles allowed the runners to advance. A string of back-to-back walks and singles gained the Lady Indians three more runs. This drive was capped off by a double from Schubert that brought in three runners. After some impressive offense the Lady Indians left the inning with a comfortable lead.
The Lady War Eagles fought over the next couple of innings to put runs on the board. A couple of singles put the ball into play, but great defense from the Lady Indians held them back.
In the bottom of the fourth the Lady War Eagles walked Robinson and Lauren English. With her teammates in great scoring position, substitute catcher Grace Jones launched a double to left field to score a run. Two batters later, Voyles sent the ball to left field again to bring home two Lady Indians. Another error on the Lady War Eagles gave Voyles time to come home, and the Lady Indians went from an 8-0 lead to an 11-0 lead. After the Lady War Eagles were unable to put anything else on the board in the bottom of the fifth, the Lady Indians won on another run rule 11-0.
Starting pitcher for the Lady Indians Natalie Robinson pitched a total of four and a half innings allowing no runs with five strikeouts. The Lady Indians have a record of 4-4 going into their first region game against Dawson County on Monday.
“Tomorrow we’re gonna work,” said head coach Joe Jones about preparing for region play. “We’re gonna have a good workout tomorrow, give them a little time to recuperate this weekend and hopefully go and play with a lot of confidence on Monday.”
Lady Indians soar over War Eagles 17-0
Sports, Team FYN Sports August 14, 2019The evening was hot and so were the Lady Indians in their first game of the week against the Chestatee War Eagles. After just three innings the Lady Indians walked away with a phenomenal victory of 17-0.
Shortstop Evee Dornhecker got things started with a leadoff single in the top of the first. Two batters after first baseman Natalie Robinson was walked, Emmie Graham drilled a single down the third base line to load the bases. Haley Voyles stepped up and hit a chopper to the infield, and an error on the War Eagles first baseman gave Dornhecker and Robinson time to score. With those two runs the Lady Indians were off to a great start 2-0 going into the bottom of the first.
Chestatee managed to get the bases loaded in the bottom of the first, but starting pitcher Lauren English held them back with a great first inning- two strikeouts back to back for the final two outs.
The Lady Indians were only getting started with their offense going into the second inning. Alyssa Pulley nailed a single down the third base line, and A.K. Wilson put down a perfect bunt to get on first. Dornhecker hit another single to left field, and once again the Lady Indians had the bases loaded. English stepped up and launched a double to the center field wall, earning herself two RBIs and the Lady Indians two more runs.
At this point the Lady Indians were in a great position offensively. Then came Robinson’s out of the park home run to catapult the Lady Indians to a lead of 7-0.
With no outs on the board the Lady Indians still had plenty of inning to bat. Chestatee starting pitcher Hannah Pierce walked Natalie Schubert and Graham. Voyles stepped back up and smacked a single between the second and first base gap bringing in Schubert. Third baseman for the War Eagles couldn’t get a handle on a drive from Wilson, and for the third time that night the Lady Indians had the bases loaded.
Dornhecker hit her third single of the night and earned two RBIs. Another hit by Robinson brought in another two runners. The Lady Indians earned five runs throughout the second inning to extend their lead 12-0.
The War Eagles attempted to earn some runs with a couple of hits throughout the bottom of the second, but it was not enough against the Lady Indians defense.
Graham hit a double to get things started for the Lady Indians in the top of the third. Her hit was followed by another double to center field by Voyles. After another single to right field by Alyssa Pulley and a double by Dornhecker to left field, the Lady Indians were up 15-0. The final run of the game came from pinch hitter Grace Jones, who hit a double to bring in English, who had hit a double just before.
The War Eagles fought for some runs with a few more hits in the bottom of the third, but still couldn’t get anything on the board. The Lady Indians won on a run rule, 17-0.
Among the stellar offensive performance for the Lady Indians were three singles, a double and three RBIs for Dornhecker, two doubles with two RBIs for English and two singles by Alyssa Pulley. English also pitched all three innings with three strikeouts.
Coach Joe Jones for the Lady Indians was exceptionally proud as he said, “We came out of the gate and hit very well…they threw strikes, we hit it and we hit it hard. Hopefully we can continue to build off that and start like we did today in the future.”
The Lady Indians are now 3-4 in their season. They will play Chestatee again at home on Thursday at 5 p.m.
Lady Indians start region play with victory over Tigers 15-3
Sports, Team FYN Sports August 20, 2019The Lumpkin County Lady Indians softball team started off their region play strong on Monday night with a 15-3 victory over the Dawson County Tigers. The game was delayed at first because of stormy weather, but after the skies cleared both teams came out ready to play.
The Lady Indians started out slow, leaving three stranded their first at-bat. Starting pitcher Natalie Robinson and the rest of the Lady Indians defense were able to hold the Tigers until the bottom of the second. A sacrifice bunt by Tigers left fielder Brea Crane brought in the first run of the game, followed by a ball put into play by Tigers catcher Annsley Kirby to bring home another runner.
The Tigers left the inning with a 2-0 lead, but it didn’t take long for the Lady Indians to warm up. The Lady Indians put ten runs on the board during the top of the third.
Third baseman Lauren English led things off with a single to right field, followed immediately after with a double to center field by Robinson. Starting catcher Natalie Schubert stepped up and hit a double to right field, earning her two RBIs and the Lady Indians two runs to tie the game 2-2.
Designated pitcher Emmie Graham followed Schubert with a single, and right fielder Hayley Voyles did the same to bring Schubert home and the Lady Indians another run. Back to back singles by first baseman Hannah Pulley and second baseman Alyssa Pulley brought in two more runs, and the Lady Indians had a lead of 5-2.
Back at the top of the lineup, shortstop Evee Dornhecker hit a single to left field for a RBI, and was followed by English with another single and RBI of her own. Graham hit another single to left field; an error on Tigers first baseman Bella Henson gave the Lady Indians time to score two more runs. After another single by Voyles to bring home Graham, the Lady Indians held a lead of 10-2 to finish off the top of the third.
The Tigers were unable to get anything on the board during their next at-bat, and a ball put into play by Robinson gave the Lady Indians time to score another run in the top of the fourth.
The Tigers tried to come back in the bottom of the fourth. Henson launched a double to the center field wall, and a couple of batters later designated pitcher Rylie Erickson hit a double to left field to bring Henson home. Unfortunately the Tigers were unable to get anything else going before the Lady Indians got the final out to end the inning with a score of 11-3.
Reece Moore took over as the pitcher for the Tigers in the top of the fifth. Kloee Graham sent a single down the first base line to get things started for the Lady Indians. Two batters later Voyles sent an incredible out-of-the-park homerun to left field to extend the Lady Indians’ lead 13-3. A single by Grace Jones and a couple of walks for the Lady Indians gave them a couple more runs to leave the inning 15-3.
Emmie Graham came in to finish pitching for the Lady Indians in the bottom of the fifth, and after a quick three outs the Lady Indians won on a run rule 15-3.
Among the great offense for the Lady Indians were a double with two RBIs for Schubert, two singles with a RBI for English plus a double and a single with a RBI for Hannah Pulley. Add in the homerun by Voyles in the fifth and the Lady Indians earned an incredible 18 hits. Robinson got six strikeouts over four innings as the starting pitcher.
The Tigers offense included a double by Henson and another double by Erickson. The Tigers earned three hits over the course of the game. Starting pitcher Olivia Martinez pitched four innings, and Erickson pitched the remaining one.
Coach Joe Jones for the Lady Indians said, “Overall, pretty good outting. [I’m] Proud of them for coming out and getting that first region win.”
The Lady Indians will continue their region play with a game against East Hall tonight at home. The Tigers will host Greater Atlanta Christian at home tonight as well.