Surging Lionettes battle to third

By TONY STINNETT, Courier Sports Editor

COOKEVILLE - Cannon County’s softball team continued to enjoy a strong spring as the Lionettes went 4-1 and finished third at the Gordonsville Softball Tournament last week.

The Lionettes (7-3) won four straight before falling to Carter County, 4-0, in the semifinals.

“I’m proud of the team and the way they keep battling and improving,” said Lionettes Head Coach Dorinda Walker. “As long as we continue to improve upon our mistakes I am pleased because that will put us in position to do some things in the postseason.”

Cannon County struggled offensively against a strong Cater team. Macy Williams, Livia Walker, Cheyenne Fann, Molly Williams and Sarah Hunt supplied the team’s five hits - all singles.

The game was scoreless through three innings as Cannon County’s Jessica Elmy pitched three innings of three-hit softball.

Staff ace Kristen Hale came on in the fourth and was the victim of faulty fielding as Carter scored two in the fourth and two in the fifth, all unearned, to secure the victory.

“Jessica pitched very well against Carter and during the tournament,” Walker said. “We made a change but it really comes down to mistakes. We made too many fielding mistakes to beat a team like Carter.”

Lionettes 7, Watertown 0
Cannon County reached the semifinals with a 7-0 win against Watertown. The Lionettes struck early, scoring five in the first and two in the second to leave no doubt.
Macy Clements was hot from the plate. The senior right fielder was 2-for-3 with a run scored. She singled in the second and fourth innings.
Macy Williams was the only other Lionette with a multi-hit game. She was 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Cheyenne Fann was 1-for-2 with two RBI. Walker, Kallie McCrary and Molly Williams also had hits for Cannon County.
Hale earned the victory on the mound. The junior pitched five shutout innings of three-hit ball, struck out five and walked one.

Lionettes 5, Rossview 1
Walker just missed hitting for the cycle as the Lionettes turned back Rossview 5-1 to win their pool.
Walker was 3-for-3 with a triple, double and single. Her second-inning double provided Cannon County a 2-1 lead it would not relinquish.
Macy Williams (1-for-3, run scored), Molly Williams (1-for-2, run scored) and Hale (1-for-2, RBI) also had strong offensive performances.
Hale earned the win on the mound with a complete game. Hale struck out seven, walked none and scattered six hits.

Lionettes 10, Polaski Co. (Ky.) 4
Cheyenne Fann’s first-inning double plated two runs and opened the floodgates for Cannon County, which scored eight runs in the first three innings.
Ally Parton led Cannon County with a 2-for-3 effort that included two RBI and two runs scored. Parton’s double was one of four two-baggers for the Lionettes.
Walker, Clements, Kallie McCrary and Sarah Hunt all had hits for Cannon County. Hale earned the win with five strong innings. She struck out eight.

Lionettes 13, Monterey 0
Elmy pitched five innings of shutout baseball and the Cannon County bats were explosive in victory.
Clements was 2-for-2 with a triple to lead the way for Cannon Co.