Kylie Black Blanks Baylor On Two-Hitter
Chattanooga Christian Now 18-6-1 Following 1-0 Win Thursday
Kylie Black has had some memorable experiences pitching for the Chattanooga Christian Lady Chargers, but you would be hard pressed to find one any more impressive than the one Thursday afternoon at Baylor.
Black was indeed impressive last spring when the Lady Chargers on the sports biggest stage when the Lady Chargers won their first state championship and that was her first response when asked if this latest performance was her best, but the slender 17-year-old senior southpaw was darn near perfect as she helped her team win a heart-stopping 1-0 victory over the Lady Red Raiders.
CCS is now 18-6-1 overall while Baylor is now 11-5.
"My defense had my back the entire game, but this was one of my favorites as this has become a big rivalry game for us," Black said shortly after her complete-game shutout ended.
"It was such an intense game, but that last strikeout in the fifth was huge because I know she's a great player," she said in reference to striking out Xahara Willis in the fifth when Baylor loaded the bases with walks to Abby Wright and Spencer Higgins wrapped around a single from Chloe Cunningham.
CCS coach Steven Rogers has watched his ace pitch in similar situations in the past, so he wasn't really surprised at how well she did against a team that is normally a strong offensive unit with a number of players who hit well.
"Kylie had a great rise ball today and that makes it tough to hit," he began after it ended.
"But that's what we've come to expect from her. We didn't let the moment get the best of us and I thought our pitching and defense was outstanding. We put the ball in play and that always helps," he added.
Baylor coach Kelli Smith has witnessed a lot of outstanding pitching performances during her time at the leader of the Lady Red Raiders and she was quick to compliment Black on another outstanding game.
"First off, you have to hit the ball, but she threw a great game and never really struggled," Smith began.
"Only the one time in the fifth when we loaded the bases did they feel any pressure, but it's rare for us to not hit any better than we did today. This is our first game since March 27 as we took some time off for Spring Break, but we've had a great week of practice and I thought we were ready.
"Adison Wellington also pitched a great game, but has nothing but a disappointing loss to show for it. The good news is that we play two games tomorrow at the Gibbs tournament, so hopefully we can get back on track.
The only run of the game was scored by CCS in the third and it was unearned. Hannah Smith reached when her fly to left was dropped for an error and scored one-out later on a single by Nyla Halfacre. The Lady Chargers left eight runners stranded in the seven innings, but they never really threatened again.
Millie Fox tripled into the deepest corner in right with two outs in the seventh, but that's where she stayed as Halfacre grounded to Wallington to end that threat.
Baylor had five base runners for the game, including hits from Wallington in the second and Cunningham in the fifth. They also got those two walks in the fifth while Willis got hit by a pitch leading off the fourth.
Black, who surpassed 800 career strikeouts earlier this week, finished the game with 11, including striking out the side three times.
Meanwhile, Fox was the only player for either team with two hits.
Wallington was a tough-luck loser after allowing the one unearned run on six hits. She also walked one and finished the game with eight strikeouts.
Baylor will be at the Gibbs Invitational this weekend and has two games against Gibbs and Powell on Friday. The Lady Chargers play again on Monday when they host Soddy Daisy.
CHATTANOOGA CHRISTIAN 001 000 0 – 1 6 0
BAYLOR 000 000 0 – 0 2 1
Black and Flowers; Wallington and Willis.
(email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)
Kylie Black Blanks Baylor On Two-Hitter - Chattanoogan.com
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