Bristol Herald Courier | Tim Hayes | Photo Credit: Emily Ball
EMORY, Va. – Flyballs found their way into gloves, groundballs were gobbled up and line drives were corralled.
From routine plays to sublime snags, Honaker’s defense was downright impressive in an 11-1 six-inning victory over the Rye Cove Eagles on Monday afternoon in the semifinals of the VHSL Region 1D softball tournament at Emory & Henry University.
The Tigers (15-7) clinched their first state tournament berth since 2013 and face Eastside (20-5) on Wednesday at 4 p.m. in the regional title game.
Honaker’s superb glove work included a brilliant play in the second inning by shortstop Cadence Rose as she covered a lot of ground and made an over the shoulder diving catch in foul territory.
Meanwhile, centerfielder Jailey Yates got the first out of the sixth inning thanks to a diving catch of her own to nab a low liner.
Was this the best defensive effort the Tigers had displayed all season?
“Yeah,” Yates said. “Definitely”
The Cove (16-9) only struck out four times but could muster just one hit.
“That may be the best defense that’s been played on this field all spring,” said Rye Cove coach Michael Edwards. “We hit balls hard, but they made plays. That will carry them a long way if they continue to do that.”
Honaker also hammered out 10 hits and senior pitcher Gracie Shelton turned in a gem.
The Tigers beat Rural Retreat (8-7) and Chilhowie (13-11) to win the Hogoheegee District tournament and have dispatched Twin Springs (6-2) and Rye Cove in the Region 1D tourney.
They outslugged teams in the district tourney and have shut opponents down thus far in regional play.
“We’re getting warm at the right time and are trying to take the next step,” said Honaker coach Donovan Helton. “We’ve been seeing the ball really well and have been disciplined at the plate the past few games. … The last two games we’ve played stellar defense.”
Rye Cove 100 000—1 1 3
Honaker 240 041—11 10 1
Akers, Leedy (2) and Edwards. Shelton and Campbell. W – Shelton. L – Akers (8-5). HR – none.