Soddy-Daisy softball finding a way to win

Thursday, May 22, 2014

photo Soddy-Daisy's Emily Edwards pitches against Collierville.
photo Soddy-Daisy's Hannah Smith bats during the Class AAA tournament game against Collierville.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Soddy-Daisy earned two come-from-behind victories Wednesday in the TSSAA Class AAA state softball tournament, and the Lady Trojans now find themselves in the winners-bracket final.

Abby Walker had a hand in the heroics in both games at Starplex No. 1, which were a 2-1 victory over Collierville and a 3-2 win over Wilson Central.

Soddy-Daisy (37-8) plays Dickson County, last year's state runner-up, today at Starplex No. 1 at approximately 7 p.m. EDT.

"It's nice," Soddy-Daisy coach Wes Skiles said. "We're having fun."

The Lady Trojans and Lady Dragons were scoreless in the first game until Kelsey Gross hit an RBI single in the top of the sixth.

Soddy-Daisy was down to its last at-bat when Hannah Smith led off by lining a single to center. After a sacrifice bunt, Walker came through with the game-tying single.

An error and a fielder's choice loaded the bases for Cameren Swafford, who crushed a pitch over the left-fielder's head for the game-winning single.

Soddy-Daisy trailed in the second game from the first inning on, but Savannah Moore and Walker changed that with back-to-back home runs starting the fifth. A one-out double by Moore followed by a Walker single extended the Lady Trojans' lead to 3-1.

Starter Emily Edwards ran into a little trouble in the bottom of the inning, giving up a single to Kendall Eden and a walk to Brooke Pfefferle. But Shonna Penney came on and although a run ended up scoring on a wild pitch, she earned her the save to preserve Edwards' pitching victory. Penney was the winner in relief in the first game.

"For this tournament, yes, it seems to be working," said Penney, who threw a total of four innings on the day, walked two but did not give up a hit. "We're winning."

Walker went 4-for-6 in the two games, but there were plenty of heroes to go around.

"These girls have trust in each other," Skiles said. "I can see the confidence all over their faces. That's what it's all about."

Contact Kelley Smiddie at ksmiddie@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6653. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/KelleySmiddie.