Holly Merritt Leads Win With Four Hits & Four RBIs
It seems like a long time since the Baylor Lady Red Raiders played their last softball to win their eighth straight state title.
Without question, these young ladies have probably been chomping at the bit for another opportunity to play and they finally got that chance at home Tuesday afternoon.
Baylor came out ready to play as they did everything well en route to a five-inning 15-2 victory over Whitwell.
Baylor is now 1-0 while Whitwell falls to 0-2.
The Lady Raiders appear ready to compete for another championship. There's still a solid group of experienced players from the past while there's another group who are getting their first chance to display their skills.
They didn't miss a beat as they scored at least one run in their four at-bats and they collected 19 hits on the day.
Baylor coach Kelli Smith can only stand back and smile at the talented players who are proud to call themselves Baylor softball.
"That was a good start for us. We talk every day about the goal of winning every inning in every game. If we can do that, we'll win a lot of softball games," Smith began after a post-game chat with her girls.
"I thought we hit it well as a team and I'm so happy for Xahara Willis, who hit a three-run homer in her first high school at-bat. She's just an eighth grader, but what a talented young lady she is.
"And what about that play at shortstop by Addi Yates? That may be the best defensive play I've ever seen on this field. She's probably one of the quietest kids on the team, but she has made a habit of coming through with big plays, whether it be on defense or with her bat.
"But we have a really tough doubleheader tomorrow here against Gibbs. That should be a lot of fun, but they always have a good team and should really challenge us," Smith added.
First baseman Holly Merritt led the way with four hits, including two singles and two home runs, to finish with four runs scored and four runs batted in.
"I really wasn't happy with my first two times up, even though I had singles both times, but I just knew that I had to hit the ball and I did better in my last two times up," the slender senior, who will play college softball at Miami, Ohio, said afterward.
Yates had a double and two infield singles while Riley Oleksik, Kaylee Snyder, Chloe Cunningham and Willis all had two hits apiece.
Yates started off Baylor's half of the first by lining to short for the first out before Sydney Sharpe, Merritt and Oleksik all followed with singles to produce the first two runs. Jasper popped to short for the second out, but Willis got her money's worth when she ripped a 1-2 pitch over the fence in left to give the Lady Raiders a 5-0 lead after one inning.
Rory Oleksik grounded out to start the second inning, but eight of the next nine hitters got hits as that lead stretched to 12-0 after two.
Snyder and Rory Oleksik both had a run-producing doubles while Merritt and Cunningham both drove in runs with singles.
Merritt then accounted for the last three runs with her first two homers of the season, a solo shot to deep center in the third and a two-run blast in the fourth.
Baylor used three pitchers on the day with Snyder pitching the first two innings, allowing one hit and no walks while striking out four.
Avery Shamblin struck out two in her perfect one inning of work while freshman Brenna Bagley pitched the last two innings, allowing two runs on two hits while walking one and striking out three.
Whitwell pitcher Kailee Yarber walked to lead off the fourth and scored ahead of a two-run homer to left by Kendal Holtcamp.
Jacie Willis and Yarber both had a single for the Lady Tigers.
While Baylor will be at home again on Wednesday to battle Gibbs, Whitwell returns to action on Thursday with a home game against North Jackson.
(email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)
Baylor Romps Whitwell In Softball Opener - Chattanoogan.com
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