The Lebanon News | Anthony Stevens | Photo Credit: Anthony Stevens
HONAKER — The young Lady Tigers may have turned the corner at Jellystone Park. After suffering a setback to Patrick Henry on Tuesday, Honaker picked up a pivotal 12-2 win over Northwood on Thursday for their first Hogoheegee District triumph.
“This feels good,” Honaker sophomore slugger Madalyn Dye said. “We definitely worked better and hit better; after the loss, the girls worked hard today to get a win. I’m proud of this team.”
Karlee Frye led off the game for the Panthers with a double to deep left. She scored on Sydney Carter’s groundout to second to make it 1-0.
The first three hitters in the Tiger lineup were retired in the first inning. Madalyn Dye led off the second for Honaker, launching it out in deep center for her third home run of the season.
“It was a full count. I was waiting for any pitch,” stated Dye. I knew I needed a hit to get the girls up and keep them going.”
It sparked the Honaker lineup. Gracie Shelton followed with a single up the middle. After a pop-out, Rylee Rasnake had an RBI hit. Madalyn’s sister, Anna Dye, added a run-scoring double to deep left as the Tigers took a 3-1 advantage.
Lincoln Bush used her speed to create a run for Honaker in the third. Bush walked, stole second, went to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a sac fly by Kiley Ray.
Rasnake walked in the third for the Tigers, and Anna Dye ripped an RBI triple. Anna scored on a wild pitch to put Honaker up 6-1 after four.
“Anna definitely stepped up today,” Madalyn said. “She’s our only senior. Anna had two big hits that we needed to win the game. I’m very proud of her.”
Northwood (5-3, 0-1) added its final run in the fifth. Sydney Carter doubled and eventually scored on an error. The Panthers didn’t have a shortage of baserunners; they left 11 runners stranded.
“Honaker has a good team,” said Northwood coach B.J. Buchanan. If we get the runners in, we left on base, and don’t make a couple of mistakes on defense, it’s a close game. We left the bases loaded once and left two on twice; we get hits there; it’s a whole different game. We had scored a lot of runs until today. We got them on but couldn’t get them in.”
The Tigers’ offense was relentless. They added four runs in the fifth, the key being a two-run hit by Aliyah Hilton.
Honaker’s starting pitcher, Gracie Shelton, left the game with two outs in the sixth inning with an ankle injury. Freshman Aliyah Hilton entered the circle and induced a flyout to end the inning.
The game ended early when the Tigers scored two in the sixth. Jailey Gross had a triple and scored on a wild pitch. Jade Hess walked and eventually scored on a wild pitch to end the contest.
It was an important win. Honaker (5-5, 1-1) reached .500 for the season and evened up their Hogoheegee District record.
“You have to get rolling sometime,” Honaker coach Donovan Helton said. “This was a good time to get started. Next week brings three more district opponents, they will all be tough games. Hopefully, this win will help with our confidence.”
With only one senior, seeing how the season goes for the Tigers will be interesting.
“The speed of the game from JV to varsity, and a lot of these girls moved up from JV,” remarked Helton. “It takes a while to adjust, and we’ve moved to a stronger district. It’s a big adjustment for some of the girls. We’re athletic, we have to translate that athleticism to softball play. Once we get that done, we’ll be okay.”
Honaker 12, Northwood 2
Northwood 100 010—2 8 3
Honaker 031 242—12 10 3
Doane and Dick. Shelton, Hilton (6) and A. Dye. W—Shelton (4-3). L—Doane (5-3). HR—M. Dye (H), 2nd, none on.